DEFENCE

A400M Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the effect of changes in exchange rates on the cost of purchasing A400M aircraft.

Peter Luff: The multinational A400M design and production phase acquisition contract is priced in euros, so exchange rate variations will have a bearing on the cost, and the effect of any such change is dealt with as part of the planning round process. I am, however, withholding the precise figures as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests of Airbus Military, and A400M Partner Nations, because it would disclose financial information about how much each country is paying for their individual aircraft and would therefore give information valuable to Airbus Military’s competitors.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Commonwealth service personnel of each country of origin in UK forces have been (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in (i) Afghanistan since 2001 and (ii) since Iraq since 2003; and what the (A) regiment and rank and (B) date of death or injury was in each case.

Nick Harvey: UK forces personnel are individually asked, but not required, to declare their nationality on the Joint Personnel Administration system. These data are the main basis of the information contained in the following tables. It is therefore not a complete record, although it is likely to give a broadly accurate indication of the proportion of fatalities and casualties who were Commonwealth citizens, and has been cross-referenced against other centrally held information from the Office for National Statistics. More detailed data on individuals' nationality is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Of those service personnel who died in Afghanistan since 2001, 15 had declared nationality of a non-British Commonwealth country. Of those who died in Iraq since 2003, four had declared nationality of a non-British Commonwealth country. Also shown are all individuals who declared a nationality from a non-Commonwealth country and those where no nationality could be confirmed.
	
		
			 Table 1: Fatalities in Afghanistan 
			 Date of death Rank Nationality Regiment/Corps 
			 27 June 2006 Sergeant Not documented Naval Service 
			 1 September 2006 Private Fijian Royal Irish Regiment 
			 2 September 2006 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Sergeant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Sergeant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Sergeant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Sergeant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Right Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Sergeant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Sergeant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Sergeant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 19 October 2006 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 5 December 2006 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 12 December 2006 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 27 December 2006 Lance Corporal South African Royal Regiment of Artillery 
			 13 January 2007 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 15 January 2007 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 21 February 2007 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 21 February 2007 Marine Not Documented Royal Marines 
			 3 March 2007 Lance Corporal South African Royal Regiment of Artillery 
			 8 September 2007 Private South African Mercian Regiment 
			 13 April 2008 Senior Aircraftman Not documented RAF 
			 2 May 2008 Trooper Fijian Household Cavalry 
			 4 September 2008 Private Irish Royal Irish Regiment 
			 4 November 2008 Rifleman Nepalese Royal Gurkha Regiment 
			 12 November 2008 Marine Irish Royal Marines 
			 15 November 2008 Staff Sergeant Nepalese Royal Gurkha Regiment 
		
	
	
		
			 7 May 2009 Corporal Nepalese Royal Gurkha Regiment 
			 22 May 2009 Fusilier Fijian Royal Regiment of Fusiliers 
			 16 July 2009 Rifleman Fijian Rifles 
			 7 February 2010 Private Canadian Royal Regiment of Scotland 
			 1 March 2010 Rifleman South African Rifles 
			 15 June 2010 Corporal Fijian Duke of Lancaster's Regiment 
			 15 June 2010 Kingsman Fijian Duke of Lancaster's Regiment 
			 13 July 2010 Corporal Nepalese Royal Gurkha Regiment 
			 1 August 2010 Lance Sergeant (Corporal) Jamaican Foot Guards 
			 12 August 2010 Rifleman Nepalese Mercian Regiment 
			 13 August 2010 Sapper Nepalese Corps of Royal Engineers 
			 2 October 2010 Rifleman Nepalese Royal Gurkha Regiment 
			 5 December 2010 Private New Zealander Parachute Regiment 
			 1 January 2011 Private Fijian Royal Regiment of Scotland 
			 16 July 2011 Lance Corporal South African Royal Armoured Corps 
			 5 August 2011 Marine British Hong Kong Royal Marines 
			 15 October 2011 Rifleman Not documented Royal Gurkha Regiment 
			 8 December 2011 Sapper Not documented Corps of Royal Engineers 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Fatalities in Iraq 
			 Date of death Rank Nationality Regiment/Corps 
			 21 March 2003 Major Not documented Royal Marines 
			 21 March 2003 Captain Not documented Royal Marines 
			 21 March 2003 Warrant Officer Class 2 Not documented Royal Marines 
			 21 March 2003 Colour Sergeant Not documented Royal Marines 
			 21 March 2003 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 21 March 2003 Able Rating Not documented Naval Service 
			 22 March 2003 Lieutenant (RN) Not documented Naval Service 
			 22 March 2003 Lieutenant (RN) Not documented Naval Service 
			 22 March 2003 Lieutenant (RN) Not documented Naval Service 
			 22 March 2003 Lieutenant (RN) Not documented Naval Service 
			 22 March 2003 Lieutenant (RN) Not documented Naval Service 
			 22 March 2003 Lieutenant (RN) Not documented Naval Service 
			 23 March 2003 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 23 March 2003 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 30 March 2003 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 30 March 2003 Major Not documented Royal Marines 
			 6 April 2003 Guardsman Zimbabwean Foot Guards 
			 6 April 2003 Lance Corporal Irish Foot Guards 
			 8 May 2003 Senior Aircraftman Not documented RAF 
			 19 May 2003 Corporal Not documented RAF 
			 31 October 2003 Corporal Not documented Royal Marines 
			 19 July 2004 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 8 November 2004 Private Fijian Royal Regiment of Scotland 
			 30 January 2005 Chief Technician Not documented RAF 
			 30 January 2005 Flight Sergeant Not documented RAF 
			 30 January 2005 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 30 January 2005 Corporal Not documented RAF 
			 30 January 2005 Sergeant Not documented RAF 
			 30 January 2005 Squadron Leader Not documented RAF 
			 30 January 2005 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 30 January 2005 Flight Lieutenant Not documented RAF 
			 30 January 2005 Master Aircrew Not documented RAF 
			 6 May 2006 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 6 May 2006 Lieutenant Commander Not documented Naval Service 
			 13 May 2006 Private Fijian Royal Anglian Regiment 
			 12 November 2006 Corporal Not documented Royal Marines 
			 12 November 2006 Marine Not documented Royal Marines 
			 6 July 2007 Rifleman Fijian Rifles 
			 19 July 2007 Senior Aircraftman Not documented RAF 
			 7 August 2007 Leading Aircraftman Not documented RAF 
		
	
	For injured personnel, it is not appropriate to release information which could lead to their identification. It is not possible to break down the figures beyond those categories shown as follows without doing so, and I am therefore withholding this information.
	
		
			 Table 3: Afghanistan: UK armed forces seriously injured casualties by year and nationality, 7 October 2001 to 30 November 2011 
			 Number 
			 Country of nationality All 2001-06 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 
			 All 544 41 63 65 157 154 64 
			 Great Britain 443 0 54 59 141 130 59 
			 Other Commonwealth 19 0 1 1 7 6 4 
			 Non Commonwealth 36 0 7 5 7 16 1 
			 Unknown 46 41 1 0 2 2 0 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 4: Iraq: UK armed forces seriously injured casualties by year and nationality, 1 January 2003 to 21 May 2011 
			 Number 
			 Country of nationality All 2001-06 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 
			 All 222 143 69 9 1 0 0 
			 Great Britain 51 0 42 8 1 0 0 
			 Other Commonwealth 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Non Commonwealth 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Unknown 170 143 26 1 0 0 0

Air Force: Ammunition

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether WE.177 munitions have been stored at (a) RAF Kinloss, (b) RAF Lossiemouth, (c) RAF Leuchars and (d) RAF Machrihanish.

Peter Luff: Due to the length of time that WE.177 munitions have been out of service, a search of archived records is required. I will write to the hon. Member when this search is complete.

Air Force: Radiation Exposure

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the primary source of radium contamination at (a) RAF Kinloss, (b) RAF Machrihanish, (c) RNAS Donibristle, (d) DARA Almondbank and (e) Stirling Forthside; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library the most recent copy of the Land Quality Assessment reports for (a) RAF Kinloss, (b) RAF Machrihanish, (c) RNAS Donibristle, (d) DARA Almondbank and (e) Stirling Forthside; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what steps are being taken to clean up radioactive contamination at (a) RAF Kinloss, (b) RAF Machrihanish, (c) RNAS Donibristle, (d) DARA Almondbank and (e) Stirling Forthside;
	(4)  if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of cleaning up radioactive contamination at each contaminated site in Scotland for which his Department is responsible in each of the next five years;

Andrew Robathan: Information on the source of the contamination and actions undertaken are as follows:
	
		
			 Site Source of contamination Action 
			 RAF Kinloss Luminised Artefacts LQA process ongoing 
			 RAF Machrihanish Luminised Artefacts Remediation undertaken 
			 RNAS Donibristle Luminised Artefacts Remediation undertaken 
			 DARA Almondbank Luminised Artefacts Working with current owners to undertake remediation 
			 Stirling Forthside Luminised Artefacts Remediation undertaken 
		
	
	Land Quality Assessment (LQA) reports for each of the sites will be placed in the Library of the House.
	The cost to the public purse of remediating contaminated sites is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However as at December 2011 the MOD has spent in excess of £500,000 on remediation.

Aircraft Carriers

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the current catapult and trap design for the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and the compatibility of the F-35C aircraft with its main 7.1 foot landing gear to arrestor hook distance.

Peter Luff: Our investigations into the conversion of the operational Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier are still ongoing, but it remains our intent that the catapult and arrestor gear equipment to be installed will be fully compatible with the more capable F-35C strike fighters.

Aircraft Carriers

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what comparison he has made of the size of the traps planned for the (a) Queen Elizabeth class and (b) Gerald Ford class aircraft carriers.

Peter Luff: Our investigations into the conversion of the operational Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier are still ongoing, but at this stage, the arrangement and size of the arrestor gear system is the same as that used in the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. However, the exact arrangement of components and sub-systems will differ due to the differences in ship size and compartment layout.

Aircraft Carriers

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received an interim report on the carrier variant conversion investigation; and if not, when he expects to receive such a report.

Peter Luff: Investigations into the conversion of the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier to operate the Carrier Variant of the Joint Strike Fighter are due to conclude in December 2012. The project team is continuing to mature and develop information, in conjunction with UK industry, which will be used to inform decisions on the final conversion solution. Ministers are routinely updated on the progress of this investigation.
	As part of the Ministry of Defence approvals process, Ministers will be presented with the Department's full findings to allow them to consider the conversion options and take final decisions.

Ammunition: Transport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the security of ammunition when transported by (a) road and (b) rail.

Peter Luff: Statutory Instrument 1348—The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulation—details the security requirements for the transport of ammunition by road. Ministry of Defence (MOD) policy for the transport of dangerous goods by road and rail is contained in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 800 Volume 4B—Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, Rail and Sea. JSP 800 incorporates the requirements of SI 1348 and includes additional security measures for the transport of those goods that have been assessed by MOD security to be attractive to criminal and terrorist organisations.
	Each transport operation, including those conducted by approved contractors, is assessed and conducted in accordance with these requirements. MOD policy is reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains in line with legislation and all units and establishments involved in the transport of dangerous goods are audited to ensure compliance.

Ammunition: Transport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is considering the introduction of any new security measures for the transportation by road of projectile ammunition; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: Responsibility for policy on the transport of dangerous goods by road rests with the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), not the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond). The safety and security requirements are laid down in Statutory Instrument 1348—The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations.
	The Ministry of Defence fully complies with the security requirements for the transportation of ammunition by road and rail and in addition, conducts a full risk assessment for each transport operation in accordance with the extant security alert state.

Ammunition: Transport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures exist to ensure that drivers of ammunition lorries are not under the influence of alcohol while at work.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) regards the issue of driving while under the influence of alcohol very seriously. MOD policy prohibits the consumption of alcohol while on duty, including those periods when "on call".
	Policy requires that all drivers reporting for duty are assessed by their line manager for fitness to drive and only if they meet the necessary standards are they allowed to take charge of a vehicle.

Ammunition: Transport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last review of arrangements for the security of ammunition transported by road was conducted.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) conducts regular reviews of policy to ensure full compliance with national and international legislation. The reviews are timed to coincide with the release of the legislative amendments to the transport of dangerous goods regulations.
	MOD policy for the transport of dangerous goods by road was last reviewed in November 2011.

Ammunition: Transport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether civilian personnel have been used in place of (a) Ministry of Defence Police and (b) military personnel to escort ammunition convoys from any UK military base in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what training he requires for escorts employed for the transport of ammunition by road;
	(3)  if he will introduce regulations to ensure that ammunition lorries are escorted by trained Ministry of Defence Police or military personnel; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The training requirements for personnel involved in the transport of ammunition by road are contained in Statutory Instrument (SI) 1348—The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations and ADR (Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road). This Statutory Instrument also requires that all carriers and consignors engaged in the carriage of “High Consequence” dangerous goods (including ammunition) adopt, implement and comply with a security plan.
	The Ministry of Defence (MOD) policy for the security of ammunition during transport is contained in Joint Service Publication (JSP) 440—Defence Manual of Security and JSP 800 Volume 4B—Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road, Rail and Sea, which incorporates the requirements of SI 1348 and ADR. JSP 800 sets out the awareness and functional training that personnel, including escorts, who are involved in the transport of Dangerous Goods need to undertake. The training provided includes function specific, safety and security competences.
	The requirement for the provision of Attendants (escorts) when transporting ammunition was removed from legislation in 2009. The MOD has chosen as a policy decision to retain the requirement for Attendants (escorts) to ensure the security of those goods assessed as being attractive to criminal and terrorist organisations during transport operations.
	Where the transport operation is conducted utilising MOD owned vehicles, the drivers and escorts are either serving military personnel or civil servants employed by the MOD.
	Where the transport operation is conducted utilising commercial contractors, the contractor is selected from a MOD maintained list of approved hauliers. These hauliers are subject to Section 5 of the Firearms Act and have been cleared for the transport of ammunition.
	The MOD has no plans to mandate the use of MOD Police or military personnel to escort vehicles transporting ammunition, however, where there is any change to the extant security alert state the requirement for commercial carriers to be escorted by military personnel is assessed.

Ammunition: Transport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions lorries loaded with ammunition have been involved in (a) collisions and (b) major mechanical breakdowns in the last 10 years.

Peter Luff: During the past 10 years, there have been 34 recorded incidents of collisions involving vehicles carrying ammunition. The vast majority of these were low impact or low speed workplace collisions. In all cases the ammunition had been prepared, packed, loaded and secured in accordance with the applicable transport regulations and the incidents had no effect on the ammunition being transported. It is not possible to provide accurate details of the number of major mechanical breakdowns involving vehicles carrying ammunition. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Under Ministry of Defence policy and process/measures are in place to ensure that, in the event of a breakdown, the vehicle is recovered to a place of safety for supervised and controlled cross loading, where necessary.

Animals

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many dogs have been employed by his Department in the last year; what their duties were; and what the cost of such employment was;
	(2)  how many animals of each species were employed by his Department in 2011; and what the total cost to the public purse was;
	(3)  how many horses were employed by his Department in 2011; for what purposes; and at what cost to the public purse.

Andrew Robathan: As at 1 November 2011 the following animals were employed by the Ministry of Defence:
	992 working dogs, of which 324 were search dogs, 409 were guard dogs and 259 were “multipurpose” (ie search and guard).
	499 horses, all of which were in a ceremonial role.
	13 falcons, utilised by the Royal Navy for runway clearance.
	In addition, the following animals act as official mascots:
	Two drum horses
	Three dogs
	Three mountain goats
	One swaledale ram
	Two Shetland ponies
	Information related to the cost of maintaining these animals is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Education

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with Fife Council on any requirement for additional school places in the Leuchars area when the Army takes up its base there.

Andrew Robathan: Preliminary discussions have taken place with a number of local authorities affected by the Basing Review programme. It is too early at this time to comment on any specific issues.

Armed Forces: Education

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Army personnel and (b) Army personnel who had enlisted under the age of 18 undertook GCSE English or mathematics qualifications during (i) their Phase Two training or (ii) subsequently; and how many achieved these qualifications at Grades A* to C in the latest period for which figures are available.

Andrew Robathan: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, the Army encourages and supports a programme of personal continuous improvement throughout Army careers and aims for personnel to achieve at least Level 1 (GCSE Grade D to G) within three years of enlistment.

Armed Forces: Food

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much Single Food Supply expenditure was incurred by his Department for personnel not on military operations in 2010-11.

Peter Luff: In financial year 2010-11 the cost of food provision under the Single Food Supply contract for armed forces personnel who were not on military operations was approximately £65 million.

Armed Forces: Military Decorations

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the case for allowing more medals to be worn by armed forces personnel which have been awarded by Commonwealth countries; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: The Government recognise that the rules on the award of medals have not always been applied consistently. The Committee of the Grant of Honours, Decoration and Medals recently recommended to Her Majesty the Queen that holders of the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal should be allowed to wear it. In order to address concerns expressed in both Houses of Parliament and by members of the public the Government have agreed to a fresh review of the rules governing the award of military medals. This will be conducted by an independent reviewer involving full consultation with interested parties.

Armed Forces: Military Decorations

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the case for a National Defence Medal; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: I am aware of the campaign for a National Defence Medal. It remains our policy that medals should not be awarded just for service. Nevertheless, the Government have recently agreed to a fresh review of the rules governing the award of military medals. This will be conducted by an independent reviewer involving full consultation with interested parties. The terms of reference and further details will be released in the near future.

Armed Forces: Military Decorations

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the case for the Honours and Decorations Committee to accept representations in person from veterans; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether he has considered the case for the Honours and Decorations Committee to meet in public; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  whether he has considered reconstitution of the Honours and Decorations Committee under an independent chair; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: The Committee on the Grant of Honours Decorations and Medals (known generally as the HD Committee) is a sub-committee of the Cabinet and as such the Ministry of Defence has made no assessment of the proposal to accept representations in person from veterans, or other aspects of its operation.
	The HD Committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and has representatives from several Government Departments. It is a permanent standing advisory committee to which the Sovereign looks for independent and informed advice on policy concerning honours, decorations and medals. It was established in 1939, has no direct ministerial involvement and reports directly to Her Majesty the Queen.
	However, we recognise that the rules applicable to the award of medals have not always been applied consistently. As a result the Government have recently agreed to a fresh review of the rules governing the award of military medals. This will be conducted by an independent reviewer involving full consultation with interested parties.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of recruits who enlisted in the Army under the age of 18 joined the infantry in the latest period for which figures are available.

Andrew Robathan: In financial year 2010-11 the total number of recruits enlisting in the Army under the age of 18 was 2,310 of which 1,050 (46%) joined the Infantry.

Armed Forces: Training

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of all new recruits enlisting in (a) the armed forces and (b) the Army undertook Phase One training at (i) AFC Harrogate and (ii) AFTC Winchester in 2010-11.

Nick Harvey: The Army Foundation College Harrogate and the Army Technical Foundation College Winchester are phase 1 training units for junior entry soldiers. Recruits enlisting in the Royal Navy or the Royal Air Force do not attend either of these colleges.
	During the period September 2010 to September 2011, a total of 9,770 recruits enlisted in the Army of which 2,114 (21.6%) undertook phase 1 training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate and 950 (9.7%) undertook phase 1 training at the Army Technical Foundation College Winchester.

Armed Forces: Training

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of recruits undertaking Phase One training at (a) the Army Foundation College in Harrogate and (b) the Army Technical Foundation College in Winchester successfully attained (i) Level 1 functional skills in literacy, (ii) Level 1 functional skills in numeracy, (iii) a Level 2 ITQ diploma, (iv) Level 2 functional skills in literacy and (v) Level 2 functional skills in numeracy in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Nick Harvey: All recruits training at the Army Foundation College Harrogate undertake vocational qualifications. All soldiers are enrolled on a level 2 apprenticeship for IT users which consists of the level 2 iTQ diploma for IT users along with functional skills (FS) in literacy and numeracy at level 1. All those who achieve level 1 FS in literacy and numeracy during the programme have the additional opportunity to achieve those skills at level 2.
	The number of junior soldiers enrolled on the Army apprenticeship at the Army Foundation College Harrogate on the last intake for which figures are available (September 2010 to August 2011) was 536. The numbers and percentage of those achieving the qualifications requested are as follows:
	
		
			 Qualification Number of passes Percentage of enrolled 
			 Literacy level 1 521 97 
			 Numeracy level 1 456 87 
			 Level 2 iTQ diploma 536 100 
			 Literacy level 2 281 52 
			 Numeracy level 2 262 49 
		
	
	The purpose of phase 1 education at the Army Technical Foundation College Winchester is to set in place the academic foundation that the recruits will require in order to succeed at their chosen apprenticeships in phase 2. Most recruits upon enlisting at the Army Technical Foundation College Winchester already hold qualifications at level 1 in literacy and numeracy.
	The numbers and percentage of those recruits taking and achieving the qualifications requested while attending the last intake at the Army Technical Foundation College Winchester for which figures are available (March to September 2011) are as follows:
	
		
			 Qualification Numbers taking Number of passes Percentage of passes 
			 Literacy level 1 58 28 48 
			 Numeracy level 1 31 20 65 
			 Literacy level 2 156 16 10 
			 Numeracy level 2 36 17 47 
		
	
	The level 2 iTQ diploma is not undertaken at the Army Technical Foundation College Winchester.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) bi-lateral and (b) multi-lateral meetings (i) he and (ii) his officials have had with their international counterparts to discuss the agreement of a robust arms trade treaty in preparation for the final Preparatory Committee in February 2012.

Nick Harvey: The Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), fully supports efforts to secure an arms trade treaty (ATT). He and other Ministers are fully engaged in developments on ATT and have discussed this issue with their counterparts in the course of normal Defence business.
	Her Majesty's Government, led by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is working closely with international counterparts to secure an ATT and Ministry of Defence officials have contributed to this work where appropriate.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure a transparent reporting mechanism and effective monitoring and verification procedures are part of any agreement on the arms trade treaty.

Nick Harvey: The UK already reports details of exports across a number of treaties and regimes, including the Wassenaar Arrangement; the UN Register of Conventional Arms; and the Annual Review of Strategic Export Controls. Ministry of Defence officials are working closely with their colleagues in other Government Departments to argue for effective and transparent reporting mechanisms as part of an arms trade treaty, including procedures on monitoring and verification. These issues are regularly raised in meetings with other states and during the UN negotiations.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution his Department is making to developing policy on the inclusion of import, export, re-export, transit, transhipment, brokering activities and the gifting, loan or lease of arms within the terms of the arms trade treaty.

Nick Harvey: The UK supports an arms trade treaty (ATT) with a broad scope that covers a range of activities and transfers. Ministry of Defence officials, as part of a cross-Whitehall team on ATT, have held a number of technical meetings on different aspects of the treaty, including how different types of transfer and activity could be dealt with by an ATT, and these meetings will continue as we approach the UN conference in July 2012.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's officials at each grade are working on the arms trade treaty negotiations; whether there has been any change in the personnel leading on this matter; and whether he expects any further changes to be made before July 2012.

Nick Harvey: Two officials from the Department's Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation branch cover arms trade treaty issues and are active members of the cross-Whitehall team which is led by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. These
	officials are able to call upon other specialist advice from within the Department as required. There have been no changes to the personnel leading on this matter since June 2011 and it is not expected that there will be any changes to personnel before July 2012.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution his Department has made to policy development on including small arms, light weapons and ammunition within the terms of the arms trade treaty.

Nick Harvey: The UK supports a comprehensive scope for an arms trade treaty (ATT), including small arms, light weapons and ammunition. Ministry of Defence officials, as part of a cross-Whitehall team on ATT, have held a number of technical meetings on different aspects of the treaty, including on the treaty's scope, and these meetings will continue as we approach the UN conference in July 2012.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which representatives from his Department have attended each of the UN Preparatory Committee meetings for the international arms trade treaty; and which representatives from his Department will attend the meeting in February 2012.

Nick Harvey: Representatives from the Department's Arms Control and Counter Proliferation branch have attended previous preparatory committee meetings on the arms trade treaty. The exact size and make-up of the UK delegation for the preparatory committee meeting in February 2012 will be finalised shortly.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure negotiations for an arms trade treaty in 2012 include representatives from civil society, non-governmental organisations and the defence industry.

Nick Harvey: Civil society and non-governmental organisations have played a crucial role in the progress made on an arms trade treaty (ATT) so far, including through regular meetings with UK officials engaged on ATT. Ambassador Moritan of Argentina, the Chair of the UN process on ATT, has ensured that civil society retained a voice during the negotiations, and the Ministry of Defence, as part of the UK's negotiation team will continue to support this approach at the UN conference in 2012.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department provides (a) training and (b) detailed briefings on the Arms Trade treaty to staff working in overseas posts; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the treaty is raised in all relevant bi-lateral meetings.

Nick Harvey: The UK maintains a leading global position on an Arms Trade treaty (ATT). Updates and briefings on the treaty are regularly provided to, overseas Defence posts and senior officials in co-ordination with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. ATT is regularly raised in bilateral and multilateral meetings with states and this outreach will intensify as we approach the crucial Negotiating Conference in July 2012.

Challenger Tanks

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on deploying Challenger 2 tanks in combat operations before the outcome of the review of the CHARM3 weapon system under Article 36 of Additional Protocol 1 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949.

Nick Harvey: CHALLENGER 2 tanks will be deployed in combat operations as and when the security situation demands.

Challenger Tanks: International Law

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans have been put in place in the event that the outcome of the review of the legality of the CHARM3 weapon system under Article 36 of Additional Protocol 1 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 concludes that its use could breach international humanitarian law.

Nick Harvey: CHARM3 provides our armed forces with a unique anti-armour capability which cannot be provided by other munitions. Consequently there are no such contingency plans in place.

Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence does not use debt recovery agencies.

Defence

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his Department's contractors (a) he and (b) his officials have met to discuss his proposed Defence White Paper since July 2011.

Peter Luff: Ministry of Defence Ministers and officials have regular meetings with industry representatives. In recent months this has included discussion over the forthcoming White Paper on technology, equipment and support. In particular there have been meetings of the Defence Suppliers Forum on 14 July 2011 and of its SME group on 16 September 2011.

Defence: Inflation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the average rate of inflation in the defence industry in each year since 2006.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) publishes an annual estimate of defence inflation. This is based on data relating to inflation within defence contracts, military and civilian personnel labour costs, and cash office expenditure.
	The following table draws on these published data to show the estimated defence inflation between 2005-06 and 2010-11.
	
		
			 Defence inflation in the UK, 2005-06 to 2010-11 
			  All Defence (UK) (2) Contracts (3,4) 
			 Weights (1,4) 1,000 644 
			 Financial year Index and growth rate 
			 2004-05 100.0 — 100.0 — 
			 2005-06 104.1 4.1% 103.4 3.4% 
			 2006-07 107.6 3.4% 106.9 3.4% 
			 2007-08 111.8 3.9% 110.9 3.7% 
			 2008-09 116.5 4.2% 115.5 4.2% 
			 2009-10 120.2 3.2% 118.4 2.5% 
			 2010-11(2) 125.2 4.2% 122.9 3.8% 
			 (1) These weights apply to the 2010-11 measure. Due to chain-linking, weights reflect the expenditure pattern within the base year not the reference year, e.g. for the 2010-11 inflation measure weights reflect expenditure in 2009-10. (2) From 2010-11, the methodology for estimating inflation in military labour costs was reviewed and improved following availability of new data sources. The change in methodology means direct comparisons of 2010-11 defence inflation rates with historical estimates are not possible. (3) Inflation in defence contracts represents inflation in the expenditure by the Department on contracts, major equipment projects and payments. (4) In 2009-10, 64% of defence expenditure was on contracts: with a further 34% on labour costs and 2% on cash offices. 
		
	
	The MOD does not collect data or publish inflation within the defence industry. It does produce statistics relating to inflation in defence contracts, at the following web address:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/index.php?pub=INFLATION

Departmental Manpower

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011.

Andrew Robathan: The information for dates requested is not held, but the figures compiled on the closest available dates are as follows:
	
		
			 Headcount 
			  1 May 2010 1 November 2011 (1) 
			 UK armed forces full-time   
			 Trained strength(2) (1)178,400 (1)173,830 
			 Civilian personnel(3) 89,770 79,240 
		
	
	
		
			 Total personnel (1)268,170 (1)153,070 
			 (1) Denotes provisional—May 2010 Service personnel figures are ‘provisional’ due to poor data quality which is currently under review. (2) Full-time trained strength comprises trained UK regular forces, trained Gurkhas and elements of the full-time reserve service (PTRS) that may be deployed overseas, including Full Commitment (FC), Limited Commitment (LC), Home Commitment (HC) personnel. Figures do not include mobilised reservists, Long Term Absentees and untrained personnel. (2) Civilian personnel includes all full and part-time, permanent and casual personnel employed within MOD Core TLBs, Trading Funds, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Locally engaged civilians. Notes: 1. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10, numbers ending in “5” have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. 2. November 2011 civilian figures are ‘provisional’ due to non-availability of some locally engaged civilian data. 
		
	
	Further details in respect of service personnel can be found via the following link:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=48&thiscontent=160&date=2011-12-01&PublishTime=09:30:00

Departmental Pay

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any senior staff in (a) his Department and (b) its Executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies are paid by means of payments to a limited company in lieu of a salary; and if he will publish his policy on such payments.

Andrew Robathan: holding answer 5 December 2011
	I can confirm that none of the senior staff in the Ministry of Defence, its Executive agencies or non-departmental public bodies are paid by means of payments to a limited company in lieu of a salary.

Departmental Procurement

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures his Department has put in place to ensure value for money on purchases; and what savings have been realised through use of such procedures in the last year.

Peter Luff: Obtaining value for money is an integral part of any purchasing decision. The strategic defence and security review, the planning round, defence reform and particularly defence acquisition reform have all been part of the process of promoting value for money in defence spending. In addition, internal guidance for personnel on purchasing emphasise the key objective of obtaining value for money, and ensure that the business cases required for any significant expenditure set out the value for money implications of the proposal. For the most significant categories of expenditure, decisions are taken on the orders of the Investment Approval Committee, which is chaired by the Department's director general of finance, and which has a firm focus on value for money. In addition, the Defence Financial Management Reform team are currently pursuing work to strengthen the Department’s financial management, based on key recommendation from Lord Levene's Review that:
	“Financial management throughout the Department should be considerably strengthened and there should be a widely-shared culture of managing Defence within available resources and realistic assumptions about the longer-term budget. At the centre, the DG Finance should be a member of the new Defence Board, chair its Investment Approvals Committee and set standards and policy for financial management across Defence. Responsibility and accountability should be aligned for all TLB holders, with responsibility and budgets for detailed capability planning passing to the Service Chiefs and Commander Joint Force Command.”
	There is no separate record of savings achieved.

Departmental Procurement

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which contracts his Department has renegotiated following the Strategic Defence and Security Review; what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse arising from each contract renegotiation; and what legal costs were incurred in each case.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) was required to review approximately 500 extant contracts across 100 equipment programmes with a total value of in excess of £10 billion over the comprehensive spending review (CSR) period as a result of decisions taken in the Strategic Defence and Security Review. Initial focus has been on the contracts that will deliver the highest savings in the early years of the CSR period. The MOD has already renegotiated around 30 contracts relating to the Nimrod and Harrier programmes. Considerable effort is proceeding within the MOD on this activity and we expect the process of renegotiating these contracts to continue well into 2012.
	It would be inappropriate to comment on specific contracts, as the details of each negotiation are commercial in confidence.

Departmental Publications

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what structure his Department uses for the security classification of documents; when it was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence uses the Government Protective Marking Scheme for the security classification of its documents as mandated in the Cabinet Office's Security Policy Framework . The current scheme was issued in March 2009.

Departmental Recruitment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011.

Andrew Robathan: External recruitment to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for grades below the senior civil service (SCS) is carried out by Defence Business Services Civilian HR (formerly known as the People Pay and Pensions Agency). Where external recruitment for SCS posts is required, recruitment agencies may be asked to carry out an initial search for suitable candidates. In the months in question, the MOD spent the following amounts on recruitment agency fees in connection with SCS level recruitment:
	
		
			 2011 £ 
			 September 7,998.00 
			 October 9,989.90 
		
	
	
		
			 November 3,938.28 
			 Note: All figures are inclusive of VAT.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

Andrew Robathan: No redundancy payments have been made to Ministry of Defence civil servants who left between September and November 2011 in response to the savings required by the strategic defence and security review. The Department's aim is that, so far as possible, the necessary savings will be made without recourse to compulsory redundancy. We have, however, made compensation payments as follows to 2,503 civil servants over that period who have left the Department under our voluntary early release scheme, launched in February.
	
		
			 2011 Staff numbers Compensation (£ million) 
			 September 46 1.78 
			 October 1,608 47.79 
			 November 849 25.86

Departmental Responsibilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure social value is included when services are commissioned by (a) his Department and (b) its public bodies; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence, and its public bodies, commission services on the basis of value for money, which is defined as the optimum combination of quality and through life costs to meet the requirement. Our policy is that social value may be included in the requirement provided it is consistent with ensuring value for money for the taxpayer, is relevant to the subject of the contract, delivers a benefit to the contracting authority and complies with the principles of EU procurement law.

Departmental Travel

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on first class travel by (a) air, (b) boat and (c) train since May 2010.

Andrew Robathan: Expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on first-class travel booked through the Defence travel contract has been as follows:
	
		
			 £ 
			  2010-11 2011-12 (to end September) 
			 Air 31,201 4,518 
			 Boat (1)— (1)— 
			 Rail 226,154 30,087 
			 (1) Not recorded discretely. 
		
	
	Figures for travel arranged outside the Defence travel contract are not held but most air and rail travel is booked through the contract. We have made substantial savings in the amount of travel made first-class in the past few years, comparable figures for 2009-10 being £230,000 (estimated) for first-class air travel and £5.6 million for first-class rail travel.
	Defence Ministers do not travel first-class by air and MOD staff are not permitted to travel first-class by air. In exceptional circumstances, first-class accommodation on an aircraft may be authorised for medical evacuations, on medical advice, or for compassionate reasons where there is no practical alternative to first-class accommodation.
	First-class travel by rail is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Such travel must be authorised in advance by a senior officer or official, taking account of any management benefit or the needs of staff with disabilities, in accordance with the civilian or service regulations as appropriate.
	Where first-class air or rail travel is proved to contravene departmental rules, we will take appropriate disciplinary action.

Departmental Voluntary Work

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what volunteering (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have undertaken as part of the One Day Challenge; what the nature of the work undertaken was; on what dates it took place; and what the names were of the organisations assisted.

Andrew Robathan: Ministers carry out their duties in line with the Ministerial Code. Any volunteering activities in a personal capacity are a private matter for them. Relevant interests, which may include voluntary activities, are published by the Cabinet Office in the List of Ministers' Interests.

Ex-servicemen: Employment

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 472W, on ex-servicemen: employment, how many of those who secured employment within six months of leaving retained that employment for six months or longer.

Andrew Robathan: This information is not collected by the Ministry of Defence as it would require former service personnel to notify the Department when they have obtained or changed employment.

Ex-servicemen: War Pensions

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many war pensions were paid to nuclear test veterans in each of the last six years.

Andrew Robathan: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The war pensions computer system does not have the facility to uniquely identify people who participated in nuclear tests and who receive a war disablement pension.
	Compensation in the form of a war disablement pension is available to all former members of HM forces who suffer disablement which is attributable to service prior to 6 April 2005, including nuclear test veterans. The causal link may be with any part of their service. There are currently 140,000 war pensions in payment.

Gurkhas: Pensions

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Gurkha recipients of UK service pensions who until May 2009 received those pensions in Nepal, now receive them in the UK;
	(2)  how many former Gurkhas have been in receipt of a UK service pension in Nepal in each year since 2004.

Andrew Robathan: Details of how many former Gurkhas have been in receipt of a UK service pension in Nepal in each year since 2004 and those who, until May 2009, received their pensions in Nepal but now receive them in the UK, are not held.

Japan Tobacco

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

Philip Hammond: Information about hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers is published quarterly by Departments. Information for the period 13 May 2010-30 June 2011 can be accessed on the Ministry of Defence website at the following address:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinancialReports/Expenses/
	Information for 1 July 2011 onwards will be published in due course.

Jordan Bancroft

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of his Department's treatment of the parents of deceased soldier Jordan Bancroft.

Andrew Robathan: The Ministry of Defence regrets any unintended insensitivity on its part and a complete review of all the correspondence undertaken by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency with bereaved families has been instigated.
	It is departmental policy never to ask the families of those killed in service to pay money back. Our aim is always to ensure families receive the right amount of money as quickly as possible and to conduct a reconciliation of their pay accounts as soon as we have all the information available to us. We do not collect any money from the families of deceased personnel, but we do adjust future payments to ensure families receive all the money to which they are entitled; this includes a payment for any unspent days of leave.

Military Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to take delivery from Lockheed Martin of the three joint combat aircraft with serial numbers (a) BK-1, (b) BK-2 and (c) CF-17; and where these aircraft will undergo initial operational testing and evaluation.

Peter Luff: Subject to both aircraft completing production at Lockheed Martin and undergoing satisfactory acceptance checks we expect to take delivery of the UK's first two Joint Strike Fighter aircraft (BK-l and BK-2) in May 2012. CF-17 is the designation for a United States Marine Corps aircraft which we have agreed in principle to exchange for the UK's BK-3 aircraft. We have yet to finalise the details of this exchange with the US. CF-17 is likely to be re-titled CK-1.
	Initial operational testing and evaluation will be conducted jointly with the US services at Edwards Air Force Base in California, following pilot and maintainer training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Military Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when the first Airbus 330-200 Voyager will be delivered to RAF Brize Norton; and when he expects it to be fully operational;
	(2)  what the payment schedule is for the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme;
	(3)  what technical issues were observed during the in-flight refuelling test between the Tornado GR.4 and Airbus A330-200.

Peter Luff: The first Airbus 330-200 Voyager aircraft was dispatched to the AirTanker Ltd facility at RAF Brize Norton on 22 December 2011. This will allow the company to undertake the work required to register the aircraft; obtain the Civilian Aviation Authority Certificate of Airworthiness; prepare for handover and undertake familiarisation training for its staff.
	The in-service date for the programme is May 2014 when nine aircraft are available for Air-Air-Refuelling.
	The Voyager payment mechanism ensures the Ministry of Defence only pays for the service delivered. Payments are made against availability (number of aircraft booked per day) and usage.
	Ground and Air-Air-Refuelling trials between the Voyager aircraft and Tornado GR.4 are continuing and progress has been made. During a trials programme, issues emerged on the stability of the hose and fuel leakage. Such incidents are not unusual in trials. Engineering solutions for these issues have been identified and are being developed.

Military Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of recent reports concerning the (a) Helmet mounted display system, (b) structural airframe and (c) fuel tank venting and arrestor hook system on the F-35C aircraft.

Peter Luff: We continue to closely monitor all aspects of the Joint Strike Fighter development programme. The Ministry of Defence is fully aware of the issues referred to by the hon. Member and believes that such issues are to be expected during a complex development programme. Corrective action, led by the US programme team and at no extra cost to the UK, is under way for each of the issues and there are no indications of any fundamental design risks.

Military Aircraft

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish his Department's policy including legal assessment on the use of strike-equipped drone aircraft.

Nick Harvey: A range of capabilities is available to UK forces operating in Afghanistan including the Reaper armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft System. The UK Reaper system does not have the capability to deploy weapons autonomously and can only release its weapons when commanded to do so by the fully trained and qualified flight crew operating on the ground. The policy governing the use of Reaper is identical to that for conventionally piloted combat aircraft operating in Afghanistan. UK forces in Afghanistan come under the command of the NATO International Security and Assistance Forces (ISAF) and in doing so operate in accordance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) (also known as the Law of Armed Conflict) and UK Rules of Engagement. Military lawyers based in Afghanistan advise on all aspects of operations and the selection and prosecution of all ISAF targets is the subject of a rigorous process that is compliant with IHL.

Military Attachés

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries have British defence attachés; and what the cost of these was to his Department in 2011.

Gerald Howarth: As the hon. Member knows, defence attachés are appointed to Diplomatic Heads of Missions’ staff as the Chief of the Defence Staff’s representative and Head of the Defence Section to represent the Ministry of Defence and UK armed forces. They work closely with their host governments to pursue close bilateral defence relationships, build partnerships between our armed forces and provide bespoke military support to Her Majesty's Government's policy priorities to protect and promote the UK's influence and interests. Defence attachés' unique relationships and access deliver disproportionate soft power projection and influence. They work to promote British values and regional policies, advance regional development and prevent conflict. They deliver significant effect to counter terrorism, support conflict resolution in fragile states and where appropriate, provide specialist knowledge and influence to assist to build UK prosperity.
	The UK has defence attachés and advisers in 71 countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria Hub (covering Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Kosovo, Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland,), Bahrain, Baltic States (Estonia), Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland (non resident, accredited from London), Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal (non resident, accredited from London), Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Somalia (based in Kenya), Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America (with a further attaché to the UK Mission to UN New York), Uzbekistan, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
	Between them these attachés and advisers cover a further 74 countries through the process of non-resident accreditation. Those countries are: Albania, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cape Verde Islands, Cayman Islands, Congo, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, East Timor, Eritrea, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Puerto Rico, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Romania, Rwanda, Seychelles, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zambia.
	We keep the location of defence attachés under review.
	In 2010-11 the total costs of provision of defence attaché and adviser cover to these countries was £43,623, 976, of which £31,828, 619 was attaché costs and £11,803,356 Foreign and Commonwealth Office charges for provision of service accommodation.
	It is expected that costs for the year 2011-12 will be of a very similar order.

Military Bases

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Edinburgh West of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 91W, on military bases: Kirknewton, on what basis Kirknewton was assessed as offering best value for money; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: On 18 July 2011, Official Report, columns 643-45, the previous Secretary of State for Defence, the right hon. Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), set out the basis for the decisions made during the Basing Review.
	A key aim for the review was to set out a geographical footprint for Army units returning from Germany that delivered the operational and personnel requirements, and made the most efficient use of the existing Defence estate.
	We therefore outlined a broad strategy of changing the usage of under-used sites, including making Kirknewton an Army barracks, and realising receipts from the sale of high-value sites no longer required. Detailed value for money assessments will be made only as specific decisions are taken and changes made.

Military Bases

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Defence Basing Review Team was provided with estimates of the cost of building new barracks at Kirknewton, West Lothian prior to 18 July 2011.

Nick Harvey: The Defence Basing Review included a 'rough order of magnitude' estimate for the cost of construction required at Kirknewton to make it ready for use by part of a Multi Role Brigade.

Motorways: Fires

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) date and (b) location was of each incident on motorways and approaches to motorways involving fires in vehicles carrying ammunition in each of the last five years.

Peter Luff: holding answer 19 December 2011
	The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no record of any incident on motorways, or approaches to motorways, that have involved fires in MOD vehicles carrying ammunition during the last five years. There was however a commercial vehicle moving ammunition on behalf of the MOD that suffered a brake fire in the cab unit. The incident happened on the morning of 22 August 2011 at the Crown Lane roundabout on the A4042. The fire brigade was called, but before they arrived on scene the driver and escort of the lorry had de-coupled the cab unit from the trailer and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was compliant with UK and EU regulations on the movement of dangerous goods.

Navy

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy ships are (a) at sea, (b) ready for deployment, (c) at reduced readiness and (d) mothballed; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The number of Royal Navy vessels available for active service are detailed in the following table:
	
		
			  Number 
			 Landing Platform Helicopter (1)2 
			 Landing Platform Dock 2 
			 Type 45 Destroyer 3 
			 Type 42 Destroyer 3 
			 Type 23 Frigate 13 
			 Hunt Class Mine Counter Measures Vessel 8 
			 Sandown Class Mine Counter Measures Vessel 7 
			 River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels 3 
			 River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (Helicopter) 1 
			 P2000 Patrol Boats 18 
			 Ocean Survey Vessels 1 
			 Coastal Survey Vessels 3 
			 Ice Patrol Ship 1 
			 Ships Submersible Ballistic Nuclear 4 
			 Ship Submersible Nuclear 7 
			 (1) HMS Illustrious is now operating in the Landing Platform Helicopter role, as well as HMS Ocean. 
		
	
	As at 15 December 2011, 23 Royal Navy vessels are currently at sea. This figure changes on a daily basis.
	Each of these units will be progressing through different readiness states in response to our operational needs, together with maintenance and training programmes, and the harmony requirements of their ships' companies. The Royal Navy categorises the readiness of its ships in accordance with the following table which is taken from the National Audit Office report ‘Assessing and Reporting Military Readiness’, published on 15 June 2005, which is available in the Library of the House.
	
		
			 Readiness category Abbreviation Description 
			 Immediate Readiness RO Force elements ready to deploy, appropriately manned, equipped and supported 
			 Extremely High Readiness R1 At 2 days notice 
			 Very High Readiness R2 At 5 days notice 
			  R3 At l0 days notice 
			 High Readiness R4 At 20 days notice 
			  R5 At 30 days notice 
			 Medium Readiness R6 At 40 days notice 
			  R7 At 60 days notice 
			  R8 At 90 days notice 
			 Low Readiness R9 At 180 days notice 
			 Very Low Readiness R10 At 365 days notice 
			  R11 More than 365 days notice 
		
	
	We do not reveal the readiness level of individual ships as to do so would enable deductions to be made about the condition and preparedness of units and of the Navy. This would therefore be prejudicial to the safety of individual units and to national security.
	As the term “mothballed” is not used by the Department for the condition of a ship, I have interpreted your question as referring to very low readiness. As of December 2011, the Royal Navy has no ships in this category.
	HMS Endurance remains a Royal Navy asset, although not operational.

Nimrod Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what electronic equipment from the (a) Nimrod MR2 and (b) Nimrod MR4A has been installed on (i) aircraft and (ii) naval vessels.

Peter Luff: No complete Nimrod MR2 or Nimrod MRA4 electronic system has been installed on other aircraft or naval vessels. However, a number of platforms have benefited from being able to utilise elements of electronic systems from Nimrod MR2 and Nimrod MRA4.

Warships: Wrecks

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy not to sell the wrecks of Royal Navy ships on which there was loss of life.

Andrew Robathan: Decisions on disposals of Royal Navy wrecks are taken on a case by case basis, having regard to the circumstances of the individual vessels. A major factor in any such decision would be whether or not the remains of a ship, sunk with loss of life, were considered as the last resting place of those who gave their lives. It is not current Ministry of Defence practice either to sell such wrecks or to issue salvage licences in respect of them.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to answer question (a) 70848, (b) 70850 and (c) 70851, on procurement contracts, tabled on 5 September 2011 for answer on 7 September 2011; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 December 2011, Official Report, column 796W.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council England

Chris Kelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the value for money of the funding provided for The Public Arts Centre;
	(2)  if he will assess the findings of the report by Anthony Blackstock entitled The Public: Lessons learned by Arts Council England.

Edward Vaizey: Arts Council England (ACE) commissioned Anthony Blackstock's report ‘The Public: Lessons learned by Arts Council England’, the contents of which have been noted by this Department. ACE has adopted measures that significantly reduce the level of risk for future projects and its new capital programme reflects the recommendations made in the report. ACE's response to the report is publicly available at:
	http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/media/uploads/pdf/Alan_ Davey_response_to_The_Public_report_31111.pdf
	ACE funds projects at arm's length from Government and it is not for Government to intervene in individual funding decisions. ACE continues to monitor and assess the visitor numbers and building use of The Public Arts Centre.

Arts Council England: Finance

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many organisations with cinema presentation facilities are regularly funded organisations of Arts Council England.

Edward Vaizey: Arts Council England does not collect data on the cinema presentation facilities of their regularly funded organisations, though does support such facilities as the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology in Liverpool and the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal, which do have cinema presentation facilities.

BBC: Expenditure

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will consider encouraging the BBC to publish all invoices in excess of £500.

Edward Vaizey: holding answer 8 December 2011
	The Government encourages the BBC to be transparent in its financial matters and to take due account of the relevant Government guidance in this area.

BBC: Licensing

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of revenue collected from the BBC licence fee is paid in Scotland.

Edward Vaizey: The Department does not hold this information. The collection of TV licence fee revenue is the responsibility of the BBC but the BBC does not calculate revenue received by nation.

Broadband

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many households have new broadband connections as a result of the Government working with house builders.

Edward Vaizey: The Government have made no assessment of the number of new broadband connections as a result of working with house builders. The Publicly Available Specification: Next Generation Access for new build homes (PAS 2016) published in December 2010 is intended to provide developers and house builders with the information they need to make informed decisions on how to ensure homes are best-equipped for next generation connectivity.

Broadband

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with BT on the provision of super-fast broadband to the third of the UK population in hard-to-reach communities.

Edward Vaizey: BT is one of the companies bidding to be part of the Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) framework contract and has been included in all the dialogue phases of the framework process.

Broadband: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the progress of the roll-out of super-fast broadband in Scotland;
	(2)  if he will consider what additional funding can be made available to ensure that all communities in Scotland have access to broadband.

Edward Vaizey: The Government remain committed to completing the UK broadband delivery programme by 2015. The Government therefore welcome the commitment in the Scottish Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan 2011 to add £50 million of Scottish Government funding and £25.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to the UK Government's £68.8 million allocation for Scotland that was announced in August The Government also look forward to seeing the Scottish Government's plans in the early part of 2012.
	The Government recognise the particular technical and geographical challenges facing broadband roll-out in the more remote parts of Scotland and have proposed that a joint working group of officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Scottish Government look at these issues. Depending on the outcome of this work, the Government will be prepared to consider increasing the funding allocated to broadband in Scotland on the basis of a match funded approach, and subject to affordability.

Co-operatives

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps (a) his Department and (b) those bodies for which his Department is responsible are taking to mark UN Year of the Co-operative 2012; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Department has no plans to mark the UN Year of the Co-operative 2012.
	The Department does not collate this information for its arm’s length bodies centrally. It is for each body to choose whether and how they mark the year.

Copyright: Music

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions his Department has had with the Performing Rights Society on ensuring that the royalty payment formula takes account of market barriers for UK-based minority language artists and provides adequate recompense for their cultural and linguistic contributions.

Edward Vaizey: This is a matter that needs to be resolved through discussions between the Performing Rights Society for music and their members. The Government do not have any role in this matter since collecting societies are independent commercial entities whose collecting society functions are not specifically regulated by the Government.

Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: The Department has not engaged any debt recovery companies in the period since May 2010. However, the recovery of grants made up to 1994 by the former English tourist board under section 4 of the Development of Tourism Act 1969 is handled as part of a grant-management contract with Stephen Lewis Consultancy. ‘Section 4 grants’ may become recoverable by the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), on the sale of a grant-aided property or if the grant recipient goes into liquidation.

Departmental Advertising

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what public information advertising campaigns his Department ran in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2011-12 to date; and what the cost was of each campaign.

John Penrose: The Free Swimming toolkit in 2008-09 was a marketing and branding pack for participating local authorities to use to promote free swimming in their areas. It cost the Department £47,166.10.
	There has been no other public information advertising campaign funded by this Department in 2009-12 although departmental bodies such as Visit Britain and Visit England also run marketing campaigns in partnership with the tourism industry as a core part of their role.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many apprentices were employed by each public body for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships he expects each public body to sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April 2012 and March 2013.

John Penrose: The Department does not collate centrally the number of apprentices employed by each of its arm’s length bodies (ALBs), and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.
	Accordingly, I have asked their chief executives to write to the hon. Member for Streatham. Copies of the replies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	There are no expectations as to the number of future apprenticeships that each of the Department's ALBs will sponsor. These decisions are at the discretion of each body, and we do not hold a central record of these.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to sponsor apprenticeships in each of the public bodies for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011, (b) April 2011 and March 2012 and (c) April 2012 and March 2013.

John Penrose: The Department does not collate centrally this information for our arms-length bodies. Accordingly, I have asked their chief executives to write to the hon. Member for Streatham.
	Copies of the replies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Departmental Catering

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

John Penrose: The Department does not have its own food and catering service, following the closure of the staff canteen in December 2009.
	However, we have spent £40,200.44 on hospitality provided by catering contractors Baxter Storey, during October 2010 to October 2011. We are unable to separately identify food costs from the overall figure.

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what equality impact assessments his Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

John Penrose: The Equality Act 2010 removed the need to produce equality impact assessments and instead introduced an equality duty. Nonetheless DCMS has carried out an equality assessment on key areas of its work, including the October 2010 spending review when we considered all potential impacts of any resource reduction on particular groups, regions and the new appraisal system in April 2011.

Departmental Manpower

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011.

John Penrose: The information requested is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Date Headcount 
			 11 May 2010 480 
			 8 December 2011 487 
		
	
	The figures include staff temporarily on loan and secondment from other Government Departments for the Olympics. The Department will downsize further after the Olympic Games.
	The Department launched a voluntary redundancy scheme in September 2010 and 68 permanent employees have left between March 2011 and December 2011. In April 2011, 58 employees transferred from BIS to DCMS under the machinery of government changes.

Departmental Recruitment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011.

John Penrose: This Department has not spent on recruitment agencies between September and November 2011.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

John Penrose: The following table shows the total amount of redundancy payments made to civil servants in this Department in each month between September and November 2011
	
		
			 2011 Redundancy (£) 
			 September 202,284.63 
			 October 75,665.53 
			 November 225,954 
			 Total 503,904.16

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many temporary staff have been recruited to his Department between September and November 2011.

John Penrose: Between September and November 2011, five temporary staff were recruited to this Department.

Diamond Jubilee 2012: District Councils

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department plans to offer financial support to (a) district councils and (b) town and parish councils to cover additional logistical costs incurred by them as a result of the diamond jubilee celebrations.

Hugh Robertson: It is expected that diamond jubilee celebrations will reflect the current economic climate and be funded within existing budgets wherever possible. Local communities can and will mark the diamond jubilee as they wish in any number of different ways, many of which will involve no additional costs for district councils, or town and parish councils. The Department for Communities and Local Government has asked local authorities to be flexible and supportive wherever possible of local celebrations.

Diamond Jubilee 2012: Medals

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of recipients of the Queen's diamond jubilee medal; and what the cost to the public purse will be.

Hugh Robertson: We expect that between 400,000 and 450,000 medals will be produced. Production will be based on a unit cost of around £16 per medal, and we therefore estimate that the total cost to Government could be in the region of £7 million to £8 million.

Digital Technology

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what progress has been made towards the installation of a digital hub in every community by 2015.

Edward Vaizey: The local broadband plans being developed by local authorities will contain coverage details for stimulating private investment in broadband connectivity and plans to deliver a digital hub in their communities. There are currently eight in procurement and over 30 more in preparation.

Infrastructure

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much of the sum allocated by his Department for e-infrastructure has been allocated to each region.

Edward Vaizey: The Government are investing £530 million in the UK’s broadband network:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7502.aspx
	The allocations of funding were published in the summer of 2011, the details can be found on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's website, or by using the following links:
	England and Scotland
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/8389.aspx
	and
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/BDUK-Funding-Allocation-16-08-11.pdf
	Northern Ireland
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/8385.aspx
	Wales
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/media_releases/8289.aspx

Local Broadcasting

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to support local and community media.

Edward Vaizey: The Government's response to the consultations on the Framework for Local TV consultation and Pioneer Locations was published on 13 December 2011. This includes details of the first locations that Ofcom expects to invite applications for local TV licences and confirms the legislative proposals. The Government expect this will grow the local media market and offer new opportunities for existing businesses and new entrants.

Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will encourage mobile telephone operators to review their charges for (a) 0800, (b) directory enquiries and (c) other non-geographic calls.

Edward Vaizey: This is an operational matter for Ofcom, the independent regulator.
	Ofcom is currently engaged in a review of non-geographic calls, which includes 0800 and directory inquiries and is of the view that regulatory change is needed as the existing market structure does not encourage transparency or competition. This has included detailed discussion with industry to gather support for the changes, minimize implementation costs and risks and identify the full consequence of change.
	In February 2012, Ofcom expects to consult on detailed proposals intended to overhaul the regulation of non-geographic calls. The mobile industry will be directly engaged in the consultation process. Ofcom's proposals include the recommendation that 080 should be free from all phones (fixed and mobile); and that there should be clear pricing rules for revenue sharing ranges, including 118, which will allow price comparison between 118 providers and restrict the mobile companies' ability to exploit consumer confusion.

Mobile Phones: Health Hazards

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the additional number of mobile telephone masts required to deliver national mobile coverage over existing spectrum in the 800 MHz band;
	(2)  whether he proposes that open access obligations will be applied to service providers that benefit from public investment in mobile telephone masts.

Edward Vaizey: The aim of the Mobile Infrastructure Project is to improve 2G mobile coverage and quality for the 5% to 10% of consumers in areas of the UK where existing coverage is poor or non-existent, with the goal of extending coverage to 99% of the UK population. We are working with Ofcom and. other stakeholders to determine how best to fill the gaps in current coverage, whether through construction of masts or other appropriate infrastructure.
	The coverage of mobile services at 800 MHz is a matter for Ofcom, who in March consulted on a range of matters regarding the auction of 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum, including coverage obligations. We understand that Ofcom are expecting to consult again on revised proposals shortly
	It is anticipated that there will be open access to this infrastructure for all mobile network operators. The conditions applying to the use of the infrastructure are yet to be determined through discussion with the operators, but they will be designed to ensure delivery of an effective and sustainable network.

Museums and Galleries

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many (a) museums, (b) art galleries and (c) theatres have been built in Liverpool since 1997.

Edward Vaizey: holding answer 19 December 2011
	This Department does not hold information on the total number of new museums, art galleries and theatres to be built in Liverpool since 1997.
	National Museums Liverpool, one of the DCMS national museums, has built one new museum, the Museum of Liverpool. This was the largest new museum in over 100 years and opened in Liverpool in July 2011. It also opened the International Slavery museum in 2007 which was developed from an existing building.
	Arts Council England has supported 40 capital projects in the Liverpool local authority area by eight organisations since 1997. These are: Empire Theatre, Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, Great Georges Community Cultural Project Ltd, Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, The Bluecoat, Unity Theatre Company and Valley Community Theatre. Additionally, in October this year the Everyman Theatre received an Arts Council England lottery grant towards its £35 million upgrade.

Official Hospitality

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

John Penrose: Ministers and special advisers in this Department have not received any hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

Olympic Games 2012

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will discuss with Transport for London and the Mayor publishing in advance dates around the London 2012 Olympic Games when routine maintenance work is planned on London Underground.

Theresa Villiers: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Transport.
	Transport for London (TfL) publish all planned engineering work in advance. Details about tube line and station closures over the next six months are available on their website. London Underground is planning ahead to seek to minimise the work carried out during the games period. This means that no planned closures are to take place on the tube network between 17 July and 14 September 2012.

Olympic Games 2012: District Councils

Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department plans to offer financial support to (a) district councils and (b) town and parish councils which are on the route of the Olympic Torch.

Hugh Robertson: The Department has no plans to offer financial support to district councils or town, and parish councils on the route of the Olympic Torch relay. Each community on route or host authority for an evening celebration has entered into an agreement with the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) to deliver the services required to support the relay and entered into such agreements at their own discretion, accepting the responsibilities entailed. The Department will continue to engage with local authorities, sharing best practice to support them as they prepare for the relay.

Olympic Games 2012: Hexham

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will visit Hexham constituency to discuss preparations for the London 2012's Olympics and the local community's involvement in a mini East Tynedale Olympics.

Hugh Robertson: Neither the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), nor I have specific plans to visit Hexham constituency to discuss preparations for the London 2012 Olympics. However, the Secretary of State will be visiting the north-east in January as part of his regional tourism tour, and preparations for the School Games.
	The Government and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) established the Nations and Regions Group to ensure UK-wide engagement and to maximise the legacy from London 2012. This group works directly with representatives from each of the nations and English regions to realise the sporting, economic, and cultural benefits of the 2012 Games.

Olympic Games 2012: National Lottery

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Harrow West of 15 December 2011, Official Report, column 832W, on the Olympic Games 2012: National Lottery, whether he has plans to ensure that countries and regions of the UK which have received fewer legacy benefits from the hosting of the London 2012 Olympics will receive preferential treatment from future Lottery funding.

John Penrose: The distributing bodies for national lottery grants—rightly—make their funding decisions independently of Government, and against their published criteria for particular programmes. This process will not change after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Increased lottery ticket income means that considerably more lottery funding should be available for good causes throughout the United Kingdom in future.

Olympic Games 2012: North East

Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that the north- east plays an active role in the London 2012 Olympics ceremonies.

Hugh Robertson: The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) is responsible for staging a variety of formal ceremonies as part of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This includes the opening and closing ceremonies, athlete welcome ceremonies, torch handover and arrival ceremony; torch relay evening celebrations and victory ceremonies.
	There is a wide range of opportunities for the north-east and the whole of the UK to be involved. Business contracts to deliver goods and services for the ceremonies are being won by firms from across the UK via Competefor. Volunteers from across the UK will work and perform at all these ceremonies. There will be four Olympic Torch relay evening celebrations held at Alnwick, Newcastle, Durham and Middlesbrough as the Olympic flame travels across the north-east from 15 to 20 June.
	The London 2012 Live Site network (including in Middlesbrough) will broadcast a number of the ceremonies. Athletes will take centre stage in the ceremonies, including those from the north-east in Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

Olympic Games 2012: Plastic Bags

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2011, Official Report, column 832W, on the Olympic Games 2012: plastic bags, whether the London 2012 Sustainable Sourcing Code provides that LOCOG's sponsors and suppliers should not supply single-use or short-life plastic bags.

Hugh Robertson: The latest edition of LOCOG's Sustainable Sourcing Code is online at
	http://www.london2012.com/documents/locog-publications/sustainable-sourcing-code.pdf
	This makes clear that, where practicable, all products and packaging at the games (whether from LOCOG, sponsors or suppliers) will be able to be reused, recycled or recovered. It links to specific Packaging Guidelines which make clear that carrier bags should only be produced if they are intended to be re-useable or made out of materials which can be widely recycled.

Radio Frequencies

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what consideration he has given to liberating femtocells on the 190 MHz spectrum in areas where there is a lack of competition for use in a similar way to WiFi on the ISM spectrum.

Edward Vaizey: holding answer 8 December 2011
	The matter raised is an operational one for the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). Accordingly, my officials spoke to Ofcom, who advised:
	In March of this year Ofcom consulted on proposals for the award of rights to use the 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum bands. One option on which Ofcom consulted was the reservation of part of the 2.6 GHz band for shared low-power use, to promote competition and innovation. Ofcom received a number of responses from stakeholders on this proposal, some of which suggested that Ofcom's objectives would be better met if part of this band were reserved for this type of use on a licence exempt basis, similar to WiFi. Ofcom will shortly be publishing a further consultation on these issues. This will provide stakeholders with a further opportunity to provide views and evidence as to the benefits and costs of such an approach. Ofcom will take all such views and evidence into account before deciding whether or not to implement such an approach.

Radio Frequencies

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many channels of radio spectrum are available for use by wireless microphone operators; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: It is not possible to give a single figure for the number of available channels because availability of radio spectrum for wireless microphone use varies by geographic location. JFMG, which manages spectrum in this area on behalf of Ofcom, can advise on availability of frequencies at any particular site. As a general point, Ofcom confirms that in its view there continues to be sufficient spectrum to meet historic peak demand in this sector.

Radio Frequencies

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent progress has been made on ensuring that the 800MHz band is clear of existing users by October 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Vaizey: Ofcom's most recent update on 7 October 2011, confirmed that it continued to expect the 800MHz band to be available from early 2013 (although not nationwide until later in 2013). We understand work is on track to achieve this.
	In particular, digital switchover of television broadcasting is progressing to plan and—in relation to channels 61 and 62 which are the more recent additions to the spectrum to be cleared—this work has been completed as part of planned switchover in Yorkshire, Central and STV Central regions. In 2012, 800-MHz clearance will take place as part of planned switchover in London, Meridian (partial), Tyne Tees and Northern Ireland. We understand remaining regions are on track to be cleared of channel 61 and 62's use by the end of 2013.

Sign Language

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the proposal to designate British Sign Language as an indigenous minority language in the UK.

Edward Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has made no assessment of whether British Sign Language should be designated as an indigenous minority language in the UK.

Sikhs

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will have discussions with the Sikh Council UK and Sikh Federation (UK) on policy matters relating to the Sikh community.

John Penrose: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has regular discussions with a significant number of bodies on a wide range of subjects. It would be helpful if the hon. Gentleman could write with details of the topics which he wishes to discuss so we can consider how best to address them.

Sikhs

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department has taken to ensure practising Sikhs are able to wear articles of faith such as the Kirpan when visiting UK tourist attractions.

John Penrose: VisitEngland, the national tourist board, is not aware of any instances where articles of faith such as the Kirpan have not been permitted to be worn at a UK tourist attraction. If the hon. Gentleman has evidence of occasions when this has occurred I would encourage him to send details either to me or to VisitEngland, together with information on what steps (if any) were taken to raise the issue with the attraction owners at the time.

Telephone Services

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will discuss with Ofcom the (a) progress of, (b) reasons for the time taken for and (c) timescale for implementation of its review of non-geographic call services.

Edward Vaizey: Ofcom started their review of non-geographic call services in March 2010 and sought comments from stakeholders. This was followed by a strategic consultation in December 2010 in which broad options for wholesale change of the market were canvassed. The options in part relied on expected changes to the Communications Act (from the transposition of changes to the EC Telecommunications Framework) which were made at the end of May 2011.
	Now that the changes have been made to the Communications Act, Ofcom expects to consult, in February 2012, on detailed proposals to overhaul the relevant regulation. This should conclude in September 2012, when Ofcom will set out the transition timetable, which could extend to 2013-14. The consultation process needs to be thorough; the market is worth £1.5 billion per annum and changes will impact on almost every organisation in the UK and consumers. Any change made will lead to a redistribution of costs and charges, and in some cases will be beneficial to consumers. There are risks of unintended consequences such as making services uneconomical, which need to be assessed and solutions identified. Doing this effectively takes time and I am satisfied with Ofcom's timetable in this regard. However, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), will discuss with them to ensure that their current timings can be met.

Telephone Services

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the telecoms appeals framework in enabling Ofcom to make timely regulatory interventions in accordance with its statutory duties.

Edward Vaizey: The Department has held two consultations on the telecoms appeal framework. The first in autumn 2010, as part of a consultation on implementing changes to the electronic communications framework, and the second in August 2011 (closed October 2011). The Department is now considering what action to take as a result of the responses received.

Telephone Services

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect on consumers of delays to Ofcom regulation affected by the telecoms appeals framework.

Edward Vaizey: The Department is concerned about the impact of lengthy and costly appeals against Ofcom on its ability to regulate for the benefit of consumers. For that reason, we have held two consultations on the telecoms appeal framework. The first in autumn 2010, as part of a consultation on implementing changes to the electronic communications framework, and the second in August 2011 (closed October 2011). The Department is currently considering what action to take as a result of responses received.

Telephone Services: Fees and Charges

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the financial effects on consumers of non-geographic call prices from (a) mobile telephones and (b) landlines.

Edward Vaizey: This is an operational matter for Ofcom, the independent regulator.
	Ofcom's current review of these services has identified problems with the transparency of call charges, which has led to clear evidence of market failure with the result that the charges faced by consumers probably do not reflect the value placed on them and that the providers of services are unable to compete effectively to offer better value and innovation to potential customers. Ofcom's analysis suggests that the financial impact of the charges is likely to be unevenly distributed. Higher prices of some mobile services are likely to lead to lower prices for others in a competitive market. However, for more vulnerable consumers, who more regularly require access to socially important services, particularly if they are in a mobile only household, there is evidence of significant consumer disadvantage. Therefore, Ofcom is reviewing the market for these services and will be setting out its proposals for an overhaul of the regulations in February 2012.

UK Sport: Disability

Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much UK Sport spent on the development of disabled weightlifting in each of the last five years; and how much it has allocated to supporting existing athletes in the latest period for which figures are available.

Hugh Robertson: The following table provides the investment made by UK Sport to both the Powerlifting National Governing Body and directly to Powerlifting athletes.
	
		
			 £ 
			 Financial year World Class Programme Direct to Powerlifting athletes Total 
			 April 2011 to November 2011 120,112 22,224 142,336 
			 April 2010 to March 2011 219,867 40,507 260,374 
			 April 2009 to March 2010 237,325 41,067 278,392 
			 April 2008 to March 2009 316,245 46,073 362,318 
		
	
	
		
			 April 2007 to March 2008 99,138 23,316 122,454 
			 April 2006 to March 2007 49,744 15,612 65,356 
			 Total 1,042,431 188,799 1,231,230

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what information the Speaker's Committee holds on the effectiveness of electoral registration campaigns operated by the Electoral Commission.

Gary Streeter: The Speaker's Committee publishes annually the reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the Electoral Commission.
	The most recent such report (the Committee's First Report 2011) included an assessment of the Electoral Commission's expenditure on public awareness campaigns, to inform people how to register to vote, to encourage them to do so and to make sure people know how to cast their vote. The report found that the Commission is doing well in fulfilling its legislative responsibilities and evaluating its performance in promoting public awareness. An earlier report on the Commission's work on public awareness was published as the Committee's First Report 2006.
	Both reports are available via the Committee’s webpage at:
	www.parliament.uk/scec

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Email

Jon Trickett: To ask the Prime Minister what guidance his Department provides to Ministers, special advisers and officials on the use of personal email accounts to conduct official business.

David Cameron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Jack Dromey) on 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 603W.

Festivals and Special Occasions

Robert Halfon: To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish the guest list of his recent Eid event.

David Cameron: Information on official and charity receptions held at 10 Downing street is published by means of an annual list as soon as it is ready at the end of the financial year.

Joint Ministerial Committee on the European Union

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2011, Official Report, columns 909-10W, which Members of the Cabinet represented the UK Government at the most recent Joint Ministerial Committee sub-committee meeting on Europe.

David Cameron: It is longstanding practice under successive administrations not to disclose information relating to ministerial meetings, including the proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet committees, as to do so would put at risk the public interest in the full and frank discussion of policy by Ministers.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Legislation

David Hamilton: To ask the Leader of the House whether he plans to publish a Draft Legislative Statement for the next Session of Parliament.

George Young: I have no plans to publish a draft legislative statement for the next Session. Work is under way to plan a full legislative programme for the second Session, which will be announced in the Queen's Speech in the spring.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Affordable Housing

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department has taken to deliver affordable housing within mixed sustainable communities.

Grant Shapps: The draft National Planning Policy Framework says local planning authorities should plan for a mix of housing based on current and future demographic trends, market trends and the needs of different groups in the community; identify the size, type, tenure and range of housing that is required in particular locations, reflecting local demand; and where they have identified affordable housing is required, set policies for meeting this need on site, unless off-site provision or a financial contribution of broadly equivalent value can be robustly justified and the agreed approach contributes to the objective of creating mixed and balanced communities. The consultation on the draft framework has closed and we are now considering all the responses.
	Overall, the Government are investing £4.5 billion to provide up to 170,000 new affordable homes by 2015.

Cleveland Fire Brigade

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) funding and (b) advice his Department has provided to Cleveland Fire Brigade on establishing a separate, for-profit community interest company; and what the cost to the public purse was of any such advice.

Bob Neill: Cleveland Fire Brigade have discussed their proposals for the establishment of a separate, for-profit community interest company, informally with the Department. The Department has not offered any funding or formal advice on this issue.

Compulsory Purchase

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many compulsory purchase orders have been issued in each local authority area in each of the last five years.

Bob Neill: The following table sets out during each of the last five years, the number of compulsory purchase orders which have either been confirmed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, or returned to the local authority for their own confirmation.
	
		
			 Local authorities 1 April 2011 to 23 December 2011 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 1 April 2009 to March 2010 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 1 April 2007 to March 2008 
			 Arun — — 1 1 — 
			 Ashfield — — — 1 — 
			 Babergh — — — 1 — 
			 Barking and Dagenham — 1 — — 4 
			 Barnet — 4 — — 1 
			 Barnsley UA 1 — 1 — 1 
			 Barrow-in-Furness — 1 — — 1 
			 Basildon — — 1 — — 
			 Bedford borough council — 1 1 — — 
			 Birmingham UA 2 2 5 11 4 
			 Blackburn with Darwen borough council UA 1 4 2 1 2 
			 Blackpool UA 1 — — — 1 
			 Bracknell Forest UA — — — 1 — 
			 Brent 5 3 2 1 3 
			 Brentwood — — — 1 — 
			 Brighton and Hove UA 1 — — 1 — 
			 Bristol (City and County of) UA — 4 3 2 — 
			 Broadland 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Bromley — — 7 — 1 
			 Burnley — 1 7 7 3 
			 Bury UA — — 2 1 1 
			 Calderdale UA — — — — 1 
			 Cambridge — — 1 — — 
			 Cannock Chase — — — 1 — 
			 Canterbury — — — — 1 
			 Carrick — — — 1 — 
			 Charnwood — — 2 — — 
			 Cherwell 1 — — — — 
			 Cheshire West and Chester council 1 — — — — 
			 City of Bradford Metropolitan District council UA 1 1 — 2 2 
			 City of Westminster 1 — 1 — 1 
			 Congleton — — — 2 — 
			 Corby — — — 1 1 
			 Cornwall CC 1 — 1 — — 
			 Coventry UA — 1 — — — 
			 Croydon — — — 1 — 
			 Derby City UA — 2 — 1 — 
			 Derbyshire CC 1 — — 1 — 
			 Devon CC 1 — — 1 — 
			 Doncaster UA — — 1 4 1 
			 Ealing — 1 1 1 2 
			 Easington — — 1 — — 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire UA 2 1 1 — — 
			 East Sussex CC — — — 1 — 
			 Enfield 1 5 4 4 — 
			 Epping Forest — — — — 1 
			 Fenland — — — — 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Gloucestershire CC 1 — — — — 
			 Gosport 1 — — — — 
			 Great Yarmouth 1 3 2 2 7 
			 Greater Manchester CC — — 2 1 — 
			 Greenwich — 1 1 1 — 
			 Hackney — — 1 1 2 
			 Halton UA — — — — 1 
			 Haringey — — 4 — — 
			 Harrow 1 — — — — 
			 Hartlepool UA 1 1 — — — 
			 Hastings 5 — — 1 — 
			 Havering 4 1 — — — 
			 Herefordshire County District council UA — 1 — — — 
			 Hounslow — — — — 1 
			 Hyndburn — — — 2 — 
			 Ipswich — — 1 — — 
			 Isle of Wight UA — — — — 1 
			 Islington 1 1 1 — — 
			 Kent CC — — 3 — — 
			 King’s Lynn and West Norfolk 1 1 1 — — 
			 Kingston upon Hull (City and County of) UA — — 1 — 2 
			 Kirklees UA — 1 1 — 1 
			 Lambeth — — — — 4 
			 Lancashire CC — 1 — — — 
			 Leeds UA — 3 8 2 1 
			 Leicester City UA 1 3 — — 1 
			 Lewisham 1 — 1 2 — 
			 Lichfield — — — — 1 
			 Liverpool UA 1 1 2 4 1 
			 Luton UA — 2 — — — 
			 Maidstone — 3 — — 1 
			 Manchester UA 1 — — 5 7 
			 Mansfield — 2 1 — — 
			 Merton — — 1 — — 
			 Mid Devon 1 — — 1 — 
			 Middlesbrough UA — — — 1 1 
			 Mid Suffolk 1 1 — — — 
			 Newcastle-under-Lyme — 1 1 1 — 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne UA — 5 — — 3 
			 Newham 1 5 3 4 11 
			 North East Derbyshire — — 1 1 — 
			 North East Lincolnshire UA — 1 5 — — 
			 North Hertfordshire — 1 — — — 
			 Northumberland 1 — — — — 
			 Norwich 1 2 — — — 
			 Nottingham (City of) UA — — 1 2 3 
			 Nuneaton and Bedworth — 1 1 — — 
			 Oldham UA — — 2 — 2 
			 Oxford — — — 1 — 
			 Peak National Park — — — — 1 
			 Pendle — 2 — 4 1 
			 Plymouth UA — — 1 — 1 
			 Portsmouth UA — — — — 1 
			 Purbeck — — 1 — — 
			 Reading UA — 2 — — — 
			 Ribble Valley — 1 — 1 — 
			 Rochdale UA — 1 1 — — 
			 Rochford — 1 — 2 — 
			 Rossendale 1 — — — — 
			 Rotherham UA — — 1 — 1 
			 Rugby — — — — 1 
			 Runnymede 1 — — — 1 
		
	
	
		
			 Rushmoor — 1 — 2 — 
			 Salford UA 1 3 2 2 2 
			 Sandwell UA 1 1 1 2 1 
			 Sedgefield — 1 — 2 — 
			 Sefton UA 2 — — — 1 
			 Sheffield UA — — 2 2 2 
			 Shrewsbury and Atcham — — — 1 — 
			 Slough UA — 2 — — — 
			 Solihull UA — — 2 2 1 
			 South Holland — 1 1 — — 
			 South Norfolk — 1 — — — 
			 South Northamptonshire 1 — — 1 1 
			 Southampton UA — 2 — 2 1 
			 Southwark 1 1 1 1 2 
			 St Edmundsbury — 1 — — — 
			 St Helens UA — 2 1 1 2 
			 Stafford — 1 — — — 
			 Stockport UA — 1 1 — — 
			 Stockton-on-Tees UA — 1 4 — 1 
			 Stoke-on-Trent UA 2 1 4 5 1 
			 Stroud 1 — — — — 
			 Sunderland UA 1 — 1 — — 
			 Sutton 1 1 1 — 1 
			 Tameside UA — 1 — 3 4 
			 Taunton Deane 2 — — 2 — 
			 Telford and the Wrekin District council UA — — — — 1 
			 Thanet 1 3 — 1 — 
			 Thurrock UA — — 1 — — 
			 Tower Hamlets — 2 2 1 1 
			 Trafford UA — 1 1 — 1 
			 Tunbridge Wells — — — 1 1 
			 Uttlesford 1 — — — — 
			 Wakefield UA 1 — — — 1 
			 Waltham Forest — — — — 2 
			 Wandsworth — — 1 1 1 
			 Watford — — — — 1 
			 Waveney — — — — 1 
			 Wellingborough — — — 2 — 
			 Welwyn Hatfield — — — — 1 
			 West Berkshire District council UA — — 1 1 1 
			 Wigan UA — 1 — 6 3 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead UA — 2 — 1 — 
			 Wirral UA — — 1 — — 
			 Wolverhampton UA 2 2 1 6 7 
			 Worcester — — — — 1 
			 Wychavon — — — — 1 
			 Wyre Forest — — — 1 1

Co-operatives

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps (a) his Department and (b) those bodies for which his Department is responsible are taking to mark UN Year of the Co-operative 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: Departments will work closely with Cabinet Office, the Mutuals Taskforce and with Co-operatives UK to develop and take full advantage of opportunities to celebrate the achievements of co-operative organisations during the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.
	The Mutuals Taskforce has recently indicated it will play a co-ordinating role for Departments to support the International Year of Co-operatives, with Co-operatives UK leading the Taskforce's work in this area.

Council Tax: Non-Payment

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the number of people made bankrupt by local authorities for non-payment of council tax in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The information requested is not held centrally.

Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government has not used any debt recovery companies since May 2010.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many apprentices were employed by each public body for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships he expects each public body to sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April 2012 and March 2013;
	(2)  how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to sponsor apprenticeships in each of the public bodies for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011, (b) April 2011 and March 2012 and (c) April 2012 and March 2013.

Bob Neill: Information about the appointment of sponsored apprenticeships is not recorded centrally.

Departmental Catering

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department spent on food purchased through its food and catering services in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Bob Neill: I refer the hon. Member to these entries on my Department’s freedom of information disclosure log which can be found at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/foi/disclosure-log/disclosurelog2011/jul2011/expenditureoncatering/
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/foi/disclosure-log/disclosurelog2011/november2011/expenditureoncatering/
	They give a breakdown on food expenditure, defined as hospitality, on a monthly basis, from April 2010 until September 2011 (18 months). These replies also contain a link to the response to a parliamentary question giving hospitality expenditure for 2009-10.

Departmental Responsibilities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to ensure social value is included when services are commissioned by (a) his Department and (b) its public bodies; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: The Best Value guidance for local authorities, which includes social value, can be found at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1976926.pdf
	In his foreword, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr Pickles), said
	“I am not asking councils to do anything that I wouldn’t ask of my Department or any other. That is why, reaffirming our commitments under the Compact, all central government departments are also signing up to the same fair standards set out in the guidance.”

Departmental Written Questions

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many parliamentary questions for written answer on a named day by his Department were answered (a) on time, (b) five days late, (c) 10 days late, (d) 20 days late and (e) over 30 days late in each month since May 2010.

Bob Neill: The information requested, based on the month in which parliamentary questions were tabled, is as follows:
	
		
			    Answered within: 
			  Number of named day questions Answered on time 1 to 5 days (1) 6 to 10 days (1) 11 to 20 days (1) 21 to 30 days (1) Over 30 days (1) 
			 May 2010 17 16 1 — — — — 
			 June 2010 91 77 12 1 1 — — 
			 July 2010 122 109 11 1 1 — — 
			 September 2010 33 27 5 — 1 — — 
			 October 2010 86 76 8 1 1 — — 
			 November 2010 70 62 7 1 — — — 
			 December 2010 61 50 8 — 2 — 1 
			 January 2011 43 35 6 2 — — — 
			 February 2011 66 56 8 1 1 — — 
			 March 2011 71 50 18 — 2 1 — 
			 April 2011 24 18 4 1 1 — — 
			 May 2011 48 38 6 2 2 — — 
			 June 2011 71 56 5 4 3 2 1 
			 July 2011 55 40 14 1 — — — 
			 August 2011 7 7 — — — — — 
			 September 2011 24 14 7 3 — — — 
			 October 2011 60 40 17 3 — — — 
			 (1) Sitting days including non-sitting Fridays. 
		
	
	The Government have committed to providing the Procedure Committee with information relating to written parliamentary question performance on a sessional basis and will provide full information to the Committee at the end of the Session. Statistics relating to Government Department's performance for the 2009-10 Parliamentary Session were previously provided to the Committee and are available on the Parliament website.

Departmental Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of questions for ordinary written answer received a substantive response within (a) 10, (b) 20, (c) 30 and (d) more than 30 sitting days in the 2010-12 Session to date.

Bob Neill: 78 of the 3,005 ordinary written questions (around 2.5% of the total) tabled to the Department between the 2010 general election and 31 October 2011 were not answered within 10 sitting days (including non-sitting Fridays) of the due date for answer. It would involve disproportionate cost to provide the further breakdown requested.
	The Government have committed to providing the Procedure Committee with information relating to written parliamentary question performance on a sessional basis and will provide full information to the committee at the end of the Session. Statistics relating to Government Department’s performance for the 2009-10 parliamentary Session were previously provided to the committee and are available on the Parliament website.

Empty Property

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with local authorities regarding the use of empty public buildings prior to decisions to build new property being made.

Bob Neill: We have had no discussions with local authorities about the use of empty public buildings prior to decisions to build new property being made.
	In July 2011, we published a draft new National Planning Policy Framework. This states that planning policies and decisions should enable the reuse of existing resources such as through the conversion of existing buildings. The 12-week consultation period on the draft framework closed on 17 October. We will now carefully consider all of the submissions that have been made and then publish the revised text.
	Additionally we have been working with 11 pathfinders across the country to ensure better use of public sector assets.
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/capitalassets/
	I also refer the hon. Member to my Department's press notice of 5 October 2011, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, which outlines the Government's plans to release disused public sector land and buildings to help build new homes, and outlines the new Community Right to Reclaim Land to help get disused public land back into use.

Government Procurement Card

Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 7 September 2011, Official Report, column 647W, on the Government Procurement Card, which of the listed transactions for withdrawing cash were made by cards held by a member of a Ministerial private office; and what the name of each such Minister was.

Bob Neill: The following cash withdrawals were made by the Department's private offices from April 2006 to March 2010:
	
		
			  £ 
			 24 April 2006 235.10 
			 8 September 2006(1) 351.42 
			 8 September 2006(1) -351.42 
			 8 September 2006 402.64 
			 4 November 2008 190.68 
			 9 December 2008 49.64 
			 (1) The transaction for £351.42 on 8 September 2006 was cancelled and immediately reimbursed. 
		
	
	Records of private office transactions are not held in a form which allows them to be readily ascribed to individual Ministers' offices.

Government Procurement Card

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Great Yarmouth, of 3 November 2011, Official Report, column 782W, on the Government Procurement Card, which of the transactions under the heading of (a) restaurants and bars and (b) leisure activities in the Government Procurement Card transaction data for (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10, were made using card held by the private office of (A) each Minister in his Department and (B) the permanent secretary; and what the name is of the associated Minister or permanent secretary in each case.

Bob Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Andrew Griffiths) on 20 July 2011, Official Report, columns 1102-1106W.
	The following transactions were made under the heading of 'restaurants and bars' and 'leisure activities' using a card held by the permanent secretary in 2008-09:
	
		
			 Cardholder Transaction date Merchant Town Spend category Transaction amount (£) 
			 Sir Peter Housden, former permanent secretary 14 October 2008 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 19.13 
			  27 November 2008 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 29.25 
			  9 December 2008 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 29.25 
			  9 January 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 23.63 
		
	
	
		
			  15 January 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 67.50 
			  6 February 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 30.38 
			  6 February 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 52.31 
			  10 February 2009 Refreshment Dpt Micros London Sw1p Restaurants and Bars 49.60 
			  10 February 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 24.19 
			  3 March 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 23.06 
			  6 March 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 20.25 
			  10 March 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 18.00 
			  24 March 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 18.56 
		
	
	The following transactions were made under the heading of ‘restaurants and bars' and ‘leisure activities' using a card held by the permanent secretary's private office in 2008-09:
	
		
			 Cardholder Transaction date Merchant Town Spend category Transaction amount (£) 
			 Private office 24 October 2008 Brasserie Forty 4 Leeds Restaurants and Bars 200.00 
			 Private office 13 March 2009 The Portland Spa Ltd Portland Leisure Activities 155.32 
		
	
	The following transactions were made under the heading of 'restaurants and bars' and 'leisure activities' using a card held by the permanent secretary in 2009-10:
	
		
			 Cardholder Transaction date Merchant Town Spend category Transaction amount (£) 
			 Sir Peter Housden, former private secretary 28 April 2009 Shepherd’s London, Sw1p Restaurants and Bars 78.19 
			  28 April 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 33.19 
			  1 December 2009 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 24.19 
			  6 January 2010 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 63.00 
			  26 March 2010 The Cinnamon Club London Restaurants and Bars 24.19 
		
	
	The following transactions were made under the heading of 'restaurants and bars' and 'leisure activities' using a card held by the permanent secretary's private office in 2009-10:
	
		
			 Cardholder Transaction date Merchant Town Spend category Transaction amount (£) 
			 Private office 22 June 2009 Leiths At The Cent London Sw1p Restaurants and Bars 90.16 
		
	
	The Government Procurement Card spend categories depend on how the vendor classifies their business. The single transaction listed under 'leisure activities' relates to hotel accommodation.
	Records are not held in the names of individual Ministers or permanent secretaries, other than the specific transactions listed above in the name of the then permanent secretary. It would involve disproportionate cost to provide the information requested in this form.
	My Department is committed to greater transparency over the use of the Government Procurement Card than under the last Administration, and has strengthened the checks and balances to ensure protection of taxpayers money.

Government Procurement Card

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2011, Official Report, column 13W, on the Government Procurement Card, which Ministers received hospitality funded from the public purse in each case.

Bob Neill: For the events held at the Wolseley on 2 December 2008 and 5 June 2009, and the Boisdale on 3 April 2008, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 24 October 2011, Official Report, column 62W.
	The event held at the SHH Yong An Xianqiangfang in Shanghai on 4 November 2008 was attended by the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright). I am informed that it was a roundtable organised by the British consulate in Shanghai, as part of the World Urban Forum.
	The hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) visit to China is recorded on the Cabinet Office website for overseas visits made by all Ministers in 2008-09, available at:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
	and
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/226022/travel_ 2008_2009.pdf
	No Ministers attended the other events.

High Street Review: Parking

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the Portas Review, if he will ask local authorities to review their parking strategies.

Grant Shapps: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Bob Neill), to the hon. Member for Westminster North (Ms Buck), of 7 December 2011, Official Report, columns 342-43W.
	The Government expect to respond to the Portas Review in the spring.

Housing Benefit: Greater London

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what research his Department is undertaking on the effects of changes in housing benefit rules in London; and how many people he estimates have (a) moved and (b) been made homeless as a result of those changes.

Grant Shapps: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has commissioned an independent consortium of academics and research organisations to evaluate the effects of the recent local housing allowance changes. The Department for Communities and Local Government, along with the Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly Government, is working in close partnership with DWP on this and is contributing to the costs of the research.

Housing: Berkshire

Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of the New Homes Bonus in (a) Berkshire, (b) Reading and (c) Reading West constituency.

Grant Shapps: On 1 December we announced provisional New Homes Bonus allocations for 2012-13. The Bonus is based on the number of additional homes and those brought back into use, with a premium for affordable homes. Reading Unitary Authority and West Berkshire Unitary Authority will receive £1,242,883 and £921,033 respectively.
	New Homes Bonus ensures that the benefits of growth are reaped by the communities where housing stock has increased. Local authorities and their communities are free to spend New Homes Bonus revenues according to local wishes.

Housing: Greater London

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many new dwellings for (a) shared ownership, (b) owner-occupation, (c) council tenancy and (d) housing association tenancy he estimates will be completed in each London borough in (i) 2011-12 and (ii) 2012-13.

Andrew Stunell: The Department does not forecast levels of future house building, and delivery will be determined by local housing plans.
	London has been allocated 27% of the 80,000 new affordable homes through the new Affordable Homes Programme. In addition to existing commitments, these will be delivered over the years 2011-15.
	Details about homes to be delivered and funded through the Affordable Homes Programme by local authority area are not yet available.

Housing: Sales

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the proportion of houses bought in England by people resident outside the UK in the last year for which figures are available.

Andrew Stunell: Other than the figures given to the right hon. Member in response to his question of 6 December 2011, Official Report, columns 243-46W, the Department does not hold any data on houses bought in England by people resident outside of the UK.

Japan Tobacco

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

Bob Neill: Information about hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers is published quarterly by Departments. Information for the period 13 May 2010 to 30 June 2011 can be accessed on departmental websites. Information for 1 July onwards will be published in due course.

Local Government Association: Finance

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding his Department provides to the Local Government Association; and for what purposes.

Bob Neill: The Local Government Association is provided with improvement support funding of £116.75 million from the revenue support grant top-slice. The funding is used to support improvement which includes themes such as: tackling underperformance; identifying productivity gains; transforming the way services and the work force are organised; supporting councils to create strong local economies; improving councillors’ skills; and, reviewing and challenging performance.
	DCLG has also provided £1 million to enable the Local Government Association to perform its role as selector for Sustainable Communities Act cases.
	The allocations for each year are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 £ million 
			 Budget 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Total 
			 Revenue Support Grant top-slice 32.5 29.25 27.5 27.5 116.75 
			 Sustainable Communities Act 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 1.0 
		
	
	The grant is for use on behalf of the local government sector as a whole, not just Local Government Association members.

Local Government Ombudsman

Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to extend the remit of the Local Government Ombudsman to cover (a) parish and (b) town councils.

Bob Neill: As I informed the House in my response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Winchester (Steve Brine) on 20 June 2011, Official Report, column 54W, we are open to representations on this matter, in particular in the context of our current consideration of a new and different role for ombudsmen with a focus on consumer choice as proposed in the Open Public Services White Paper.

Non-Domestic Rates

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to use the income from business rates to provide better support for small businesses and independent retailers.

Grant Shapps: The Government will respond to the Portas review in the spring. That notwithstanding, I would note that the Government's proposals to allow the local retention of business rates from April 2013 will provide further incentives for local authorities to work with local businesses to help create a positive climate to enable local growth. The Government have also doubled small business rate relief for two and half years, which will include the whole of the 2012-13 financial year.
	Business rates in Wales is a devolved matter.

Non-Domestic Rates

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the use made by local authorities of their discretionary powers to give rate concessions to new local businesses.

Grant Shapps: The Government will respond to the Portas review in the spring. That notwithstanding, I would note that the power to provide discounts is not yet available to local authorities. It will be from 1 April 2012. From that point authorities will be able to grant business rates discounts entirely as they see fit within the limits of the primary legislation and European rules on state aid.
	Business rates in Wales is a devolved matter.

Non-Domestic Rates: Retail Trade

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of business rates revenue was paid by companies in the retail sector in each of the last five years.

Bob Neill: This information is not held centrally.

Parking: Fees and Charges

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will give consideration to publishing a parking league table giving comparative information on the parking charges imposed by local authorities.

Grant Shapps: The Government expect to respond to the Portas Review in the spring.

Parking: Urban Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effect of the imposition of car parking charges in town centre locations on the commercial viability of high streets.

Bob Neill: I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 7 December 2011, Official Report, columns 342-43W, which outlines my Department's stance on the issue of car parking charges and supporting local high streets.
	The Government will also be responding in spring 2012 to the Mary Portas review, which made a number of policy recommendations on this topic.

Planning Permission

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will list the local planning authorities that have made submissions to his Department's consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework.

Greg Clark: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 1 December 2011, Official Report, column 1029W.

Planning Permission: Rural Areas

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of whether there should be a separate definition of the sustainability of development in rural areas in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Greg Clark: Policies in the draft National Planning Policy Framework were developed taking into account both rural and urban areas. Before finalising the document we will also take into account the issues raised as a result of the consultation exercise.

Planning: Property

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he proposes that the formal consultation on the review of the Use Classes Order will begin.

Bob Neill: We are considering the thoughts and ideas received in response to our Issues Paper on how change of use should be handled in the planning system. Its purpose was to stimulate debate and was part of a wider call for evidence on this subject which also included discussions with key partners and other Government Departments. We are now reflecting on the issues on which we may wish to consult in the future.

Planning: Urban Areas

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will ensure that the revised National Planning Policy framework will contain a presumption in favour of town centre development.

Greg Clark: We remain committed to the town centre first approach set out in current policy, which we have included in the draft National Planning Policy Framework. Local authorities should recognise town centres as the heart of their communities and the draft Framework makes clear that they should pursue policies to support their viability and vitality. The consultation on the draft Framework has closed now and we are considering all the responses.

Renewable Energy

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the likely impact upon neighbourhood plans of the Government's commitment to ensure that renewable sources will generate 15 per cent. of the UK's energy by 2020.

Greg Clark: The Localism Act gives communities new powers to plan for the future of their areas through neighbourhood planning. These are powerful new opportunities for communities to shape the development of their local areas.
	It is for communities to decide whether they wish to use neighbourhood development plans or orders to deliver energy from renewable sources, provided the plans or orders meet the basic conditions set out in the Localism Act.
	Our proposals strike the right balance by ensuring that neighbourhood planning proposals are in general conformity with strategic planning policies, while giving communities the flexibility to determine those issues that are rightly dealt with at community level.

Retail Trade: Empty Property

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what his policy is on tackling empty shops; and if he will consider introducing empty shop management orders;
	(2)  what consideration he has given to imposing a duty on local authorities to produce a public register of high street landlords;
	(3)  what his policy is on the recommendation by the Portas review that empty shop management orders be introduced;
	(4)  what steps his Department has taken to discourage landlords from leaving shopping units vacant;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the contribution of a clean urban environment to the commercial viability of high streets.

Grant Shapps: The Government commissioned Mary Portas to do an independent review of the future of the high street. She has identified many issues for Government, business and local authorities to consider. These include empty shop management orders, the introduction of a public register of high street landlords, disincentives to prevent landlords from leaving shop units vacant, and the contribution a clean urban environment can make to the commercial viability of high streets.
	The Government will consider these and other recommendations of the review carefully and respond in detail in spring 2012.

Right to Buy Scheme

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to introduce an exception from the right to buy scheme in cases where it is demonstrable that (a) sales would create a negative net present value in the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan and (b) the units are required to meet housing need within the locality.

Grant Shapps: We have announced our intention to reinvigorate the right to buy scheme by significantly increasing discounts.
	In our consultation paper "Reinvigorating Right to Buy and one for one replacement" published on 22 December 2011, we propose that the council may deduct, from its right to buy receipts, an amount sufficient to cover the housing debt supportable from the income on additional right to buy sales. The aim is that the Housing Revenue Account receives a capital receipt equivalent to the amount of debt that the property could support under the self-financing methodology. This is to ensure the continued viability of the council's landlord business by compensating for the lost value of the property.
	Our proposals for calculating the amount of housing debt that should be cleared are set out in Annex C of the consultation paper.
	Every additional home sold under right to buy will be replaced with a new home for affordable rent.
	We have no plans to extend the range of exemptions from the right to buy.

Right to Buy Scheme

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 486W, on right-to-buy scheme, from which budget he proposes funding will be made available to meet the difference between the income raised from the 50 per cent. discounted sale of social housing and the cost of the land and construction of a one for one replacement dwelling.

Grant Shapps: The receipts only have to meet part of the cost of a replacement property. Social landlords generally meet the costs of new homes from borrowing against the future rental income from letting the home, a contribution from their own resources, including land, and grant funding from the Government. In the Right to Buy replacement scheme, receipts from sales will substitute for grant funding.

Right to Buy Scheme: Reading (Berkshire)

Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes in Reading were sold under the right to buy scheme in each of the last 20 years.

Grant Shapps: The number of sales of local authority stock under the Right to Buy scheme in each year are given in live table 648 on the Department's website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/socialhousingsales/livetables/
	Housing associations may also sell their stock through Preserved Right to Buy where the tenant is eligible under this scheme. Data on Preserved Right to Buy is collected by the Tenant Services Authority in their Regulatory and Statistical Return but this does not separately identify Preserved Right to Buy sales at local authority level.

Temporary Accommodation

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the median cost was of providing temporary accommodation to homeless households in each bedroom size unit, in each region, in each of the last five years.

Grant Shapps: holding answer 20 December 2011
	The Department does not collect the requested information.

TREASURY

Air Passenger Duty

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much airport passenger tax was collected at each airport in each of the last three years.

Chloe Smith: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) does not collect information on air passenger duty (APD) revenues by each airport in the UK. For each destination band under APD, the numbers of chargeable passengers and the revenue declared are published on a monthly basis on HMRCs UK Trade Info website at:
	www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bulletins

Banks: China

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 10 January 2006, Official Report, column 524W, on banking system (China), if he will provide an updated assessment of the stability of the banking system in China.

Mark Hoban: HM Treasury continually monitors the stability of financial systems around the world and their effects on the UK economy. The outlook for UK economy was set out in the autumn statement. On 14 November 2011, the IMF published the findings from its first detailed assessment of China's financial sector, as part of its Financial Sector Assessment programme (carried out every five years on systemically important financial systems). It concluded that “China has made remarkable progress in its transition toward a more commercially-orientated and financially-sound system”, while highlighting the key short-term risks facing the sector and the build-up of longer-term vulnerabilities. Full details can be found here:
	http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/cat/longres.cfm?sk=25350.0
	As part of the UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), we have significantly increased our technical and policy collaboration with China on financial sector reform issues, as highlighted in paragraphs 4 to 15 of the policy outcomes paper from the 2011 EFD:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/int_ukchina_pop.htm

Britain Building Investment Fund

Edward Balls: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he has made of (a) the level of take-up and (b) the effectiveness of the Get Britain Building investment fund.

Danny Alexander: holding answer 20 December 2011
	The Government published a prospectus for the Get Britain Building fund on 22 December. Expressions of interest are requested by 27 January 2012. Our analysis suggests there are 133,000 stalled sites in England, of which, 90,000 units have not started and are classified as on hold or shelved.

Business: Loans

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he plans to monitor whether the cheaper funding received by the banks under the National Loan Guarantee Scheme is passed through to smaller businesses.

Mark Hoban: The Government will put in place rigorous monitoring and audit processes to ensure that banks pass on the benefit of cheaper funding to smaller businesses.

Business: Loans

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects that businesses will start to receive investment through his Business Finance Partnership.

Mark Hoban: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 December 2011, Official Report, column 976W.
	The Government intend to commit their first funding through the Business Finance Partnership in spring 2012, but the month in which the first loans will be made to businesses by these funds will depend upon the length of time taken for fund managers to confirm private sector co-investment, and to identify suitable lending opportunities.

Business: Loans

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects that businesses will start to receive loans supported by his National Loan Guarantee Scheme.

Mark Hoban: The National Loan Guarantee Scheme is expected to be up and running early this year.

Business: Loans

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the (a) net and (b) gross change in bank lending to (i) all businesses and (ii) small and medium-sized enterprises arising from his credit easing policy in each month of 2012.

Mark Hoban: The National Loan Guarantee Scheme will improve the flow of credit to smaller businesses by reducing the cost of borrowing. The Business Finance Partnership is initially expected to make at least £2 billion of finance available for mid-sized businesses.

Carbon Sequestration: Finance

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the status is of the £1 billion allocated for the carbon capture and storage programme in 2016-17; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: The Government remain committed to making £1 billion available for carbon capture and storage (CCS). The Department of Energy and Climate Change is in the process of designing a competition for a CCS programme; the outcome of this will determine the allocation of that budget.

Charitable Trusts

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend the use of the fit and proper persons test for charity trustees used by HM Revenue and Customs.

Chloe Smith: There are no plans to amend the fit and proper persons test for charity trustees.

Child Benefit

Christopher Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish draft legislation to implement his proposed changes for higher rate taxpayer households in receipt of child benefit.

Chloe Smith: The legislative timetable for implementation of proposed changes for higher rate taxpayer households in receipt of child benefit will be announced in due course.

Combined Heat and Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with the Department for Energy and Climate Change on support for micro combined heat and power through the feed-in tariff.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with a wide range of other Ministers and officials from other Government Departments as part of the usual policy making process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Combined Heat and Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will meet representatives of the heating and hot water industries to discuss micro combined heat and power and the feed-in tariff.

Chloe Smith: Treasury Ministers receive numerous requests to meet with representatives from industry and consider them on a case-by-case basis. The Department of Energy and Climate Change is the Government Department responsible for the Feed-in Tariff programme.

Company Liquidations

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that HM Revenue and Customs has the flexibility to delay demands for payment to prevent businesses going into liquidation.

David Gauke: HMRC is committed to adopting a sympathetic approach to businesses that have genuine short term difficulties in paying the tax they owe. HMRC does not take winding up action lightly and if there is a prospect of imminent payment HMRC will work closely with the customer to facilitate payment to the Exchequer. This process is made easier if taxpayers experiencing temporary difficulties in meeting their tax obligations contact HMRC early.

Debit Cards: Fees and Charges

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the Government's response to the Office of Fair Trading's recommendations on debit card surcharges; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: The Government announced on 23 December 2011 that they will take action to tackle excessive card surcharges that are opaque, misleading and prevent consumers getting a good deal. The Government will consult on draft legislation in early 2012.
	I have written to the director general of the Office of Fair Trading setting out the details. A copy of my letter has been deposited in the Library of the House.

Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: Since May 2010 the Treasury has not used the services of any debt recovery companies.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

Chloe Smith: The Treasury did not incur any spending on compulsory redundancies during the period in question. However, the Treasury is in the process of managing a small number of voluntary exits from the organisation in line with the Civil Service Compensation scheme.
	Spending was incurred on voluntary exits amounting to £198,000 during the period comprising £24,000 in September, £101,000 in October and £73,000 in November.

Departmental Risk Assessment

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what risk registers are held by the public bodies for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

Chloe Smith: In line with good planning and risk management, UK Financial Investments Ltd and the Office for Budget Responsibility maintain risk registers.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many temporary staff have been recruited to his Department between September and November 2011.

Chloe Smith: HM Treasury recruited 13 temporary staff (five fixed term appointments; eight agency staff) between 1 September and 30 November 2011.

Devolution: Finance

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Barnett consequential funding will be made available to each devolved Administration as a result of the allocation of funding to assist troubled families.

Danny Alexander: This measure is being funded from within existing resources. There are consequently no additional Barnett consequentials.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had on the introduction of a fuel duty rebate in rural areas of Wales.

Danny Alexander: Treasury Ministers routinely discuss a range of issues with colleagues and stakeholders. I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, the hon. Member for Norwich North (Miss Smith) gave to the hon. Member for Skipton and Ripon (Julian Smith) on 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 69W.

Excise Duties: Tobacco

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to tackle the illicit trade in non-UK duty paid cigarettes.

Chloe Smith: The Government are committed to tackling the illicit trade in non-UK duty paid cigarettes and in April 2011 published a comprehensive new strategy for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the UK Border Agency (UKBA): “Tackling Tobacco Smuggling—building on our success”. It is available online at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/news/tackling-tobacco.htm
	This is a risk-based, intelligence-led strategy which is applied across the UK, including in Leicestershire and the east midlands. Domestically, HMRC works in collaboration with other enforcement agencies to maximise impact using the full range of powers and sanctions available, and to develop and apply joined-up approaches to localised problems of illicit activity.

Housing Revenue Accounts: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Welsh Government on retaining within Wales the monies accrued under the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Scheme since May 2011.

Danny Alexander: Treasury and Welsh Government Ministers meet from time to time to discuss matters of common interest including the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Scheme.

Income Tax

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average personal income tax (a) burden and (b) rate on the top (i) 1 per cent. and (ii) 10 per cent. of income earners in each year between 1985 and 2010; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: Estimates of total income tax liabilities, total income assessable for tax and so average rates of tax for the top 1% and 10% of taxpayers by total income in the period 1999-2000 to 2010-11 are provided in the following table.
	
		
			 Table 1. Income tax liabilities and average tax rate for top 10% and top 1% of taxpayers, 1999- 20 00 to 2010-11 
			  Top 10% Top 1% 
			 Taxpayers Income tax (£ billion) Total income (£ billion) Average rate (percentage) Income tax (£ billion) Total income (£ billion) Average rate (percentage) 
			 1999-2000 46.8 175.6 26.7 19.9 58.5 34.0 
			 2000-01 54.3 200.2 27.1 23.5 68.3 34.3 
			 2001-02 55.5 204.2 27.2 23.3 68.1 34.1 
			 2002-03 56.0 206.3 27,2 22.8 67.3 33.9 
			 2003-04 56.3 208.1 27.1 23.0 68.7 33.6 
			 2004-05 63.2 231.9 27.2 26.4 77.9 33.9 
			 2005-06 73.0 263.5 27.7 31.4 92.5 33.9 
			 2006-07 80.0 287.5 27.8 35.1 104.2 33.7 
			 2007-06 88.4 313.4 28.2 39.6 116.6 34.0 
			 2008-09 85.5 309.1 27.7 39.0 115.2 33.8 
			 2009-10 81.8 301.9 27.1 37.7 111.7 33.8 
			 2010-11 89.5 305.3 29.3 42.7 108.7 39.3 
		
	
	These estimates are based on successive Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) datasets up to 2007-08. Estimates for 2008-09 onwards are based on the 2007-08 SPI projected using OBR's Budget 2011 economic and fiscal assumptions.
	These estimates are consistent with statistics published in Table 2.4 shares of total income tax liability:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_tax/menu.htm#liabilities
	Published estimates of shares of total income tax liabilities for the top 1% and 10% of taxpayers by total income in the period 1990-91 to 2010-11 are provided in the following table. Corresponding estimates of total income and average rates of tax for these groups prior to 1999-2000 were not published and are not available.
	
		
			 Table 2. Shares of total income tax liability 
			  Share of total income tax  
			 Taxpayers Top 10 % Top 1 % Total income tax (£ billion) 
			 1986-87 39.0 14.0 42.8 
			 1990-91 42.0 15.0 60.2 
			 1991-92 43.0 16.0 63.3 
			 1992-93 44.0 16.0 60.7 
			 1993-94 44.0 16.0 61.4 
			 1994-95 45.0 17.0 66.3 
			 1995-96 45.0 17.0 72.0 
			 1996-97 48,0 20.0 73.7 
			 1997-98 48.0 20.0 79.5 
			 1998-99 49.0 21.0 88.0 
			 1999-2000 50.3 21.3 93.2 
			 2000-01 51.4 22.2 105.5 
			 2001-02 51.9 21.8 107.0 
			 2002-03 51.5 21.0 108.8 
			 2003-04 50.9 20.8 110.6 
			 2004-05 51.4 21.4 123.0 
			 2005-06 52.9 22.7 138.1 
			 2006-07 53.5 23.5 149.5 
			 2007-08 54.3 24.4 162.7 
			 2008-09 54.6 24.9 156.7 
			 2009-10 54.3 25.0 150.6 
			 2010-11 55.6 26.6 160.9 
		
	
	Estimates prior to 1999-2000 and further analyses of taxpayers, taxpayer incomes and tax liabilities in this period are available in “Inland Revenue Statistics, 1992 and 2000”.

Income Tax: Overpayments

Aidan Burley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions HM Revenue and Customs has received overpayments of income tax paid by PAYE in each of the last five years.

David Gauke: The information requested is unavailable. However, HMRC publishes all details of any income tax overpayments (including those collected via PAYE) in its annual accounts. Details are found at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk

Inland Revenue: Gifts and Endowments

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what date Inland Revenue required its employees to register all hospitality and gifts received.

David Gauke: The requirement for staff to make entries in a hospitality and gifts register has existed in the Inland Revenue, and subsequently in the merged Department of HM Revenue and Customs, for a period in excess of 10 years. The original date of introduction is unknown.

Non-domestic Rates: Appeals

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many business rates appeals have been (a) received and (b) cleared by the Valuation Office Agency in each (i) region and (ii) local authority in each month in 2010-11.

David Gauke: The number of proposals (a) received and (b) cleared by the Valuation Office Agency in each (i) region and (ii) administrative area in each month for 2010-2011 financial year are shown in two sets of four tables placed in the Library.

Personal Savings

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the rate of growth in the amount of savings held by UK nationals in each financial year since 2007-08.

Mark Hoban: The Wealth and Assets Survey provides an estimate of aggregate financial household wealth, including savings, surveyed in the period 2006-08.
	The report can be found here:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/was/wealth-in-great-britain/main-results-from-the-wealth-and-assets-survey-2006-2008/index.html
	The next release of this data, based on the period 2008-10, is due this year and will provide an estimate of the change in aggregate financial wealth between 2006-08 and 2008-10.
	The Family Resources Survey collects data annually, and provides data regarding the savings and investments of households in each year since 1998. This resource can be used to estimate how the value and distribution of household savings has changed over time. These releases can be found here:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/frs/

Public Expenditure: Housing

Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Barnett consequentials for the Housing Plan for England are.

Danny Alexander: The Barnett consequentials arising from the housing package are set out in the following table:
	
		
			 £ million 
			  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 
			 Scotland 26.0 17.6 -1.4 
			 Wales 15.0 10.1 -0.8 
			 Northern Ireland 8.7 5.9 -0.5

Public Sector: Pensions

Dominic Raab: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 November 2011, Official Report, column 340W, on public sector: pensions, whether it is possible to quantify in cash terms the additional cost to the public purse arising from the increase in accrual rates for public sector pensions announced on 2 November 2011.

Danny Alexander: holding answer 23 November 2011
	Reforms to public service pensions will save the taxpayer tens of billions of pounds over the next few decades and significantly improve the long-term fiscal sustainability of this country. The Office for Budget Responsibility will provide a forecast of the savings in its next Fiscal Sustainability Report.

Public Sector: Pensions

Jessica Morden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average public sector pension is in Wales.

Danny Alexander: holding answer 1 December 2011
	The Independent Public Service Pensions Commission found that the median public service pension in payment to retired public servants is £5,600 a year, and the mean £7,800 a year. More detailed information is available from the Departments responsible for the individual schemes.

Revenue and Customs: Contracts

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much each company awarded a contract for handling calls on tax credits in the HM Revenue and Customs contact centres in Bathgate and Lillyhall will receive in payment.

David Gauke: The contracts with the third party suppliers, which have yet to be signed, will run for a maximum of 12 months. There are contract review points at the six and nine month stages when a decision will be made as to whether to continue to the next break point in the contract. The value of each supplier contract will depend on a number of variables. It is therefore difficult to provide an indication, at this stage, as to the worth of each contract.

Revenue and Customs: Contracts

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what taxpayer information staff employed by the private companies who have been awarded the contracts in the HM Revenue and Customs contact centres at Bathgate and Lillyhall will have access; and what steps his Department has taken to ensure that data security procedures are adhered to.

David Gauke: Advisers handling customer calls to HMRC helplines will normally have access to a range of information held by HMRC. This information is needed to handle the customer's reason for calling and to complete any necessary follow up action.
	The integrity and confidentiality of customer information is, as ever, an absolute priority. HMRC will do nothing that compromises the Department's data security standards.
	The third party suppliers will be acting on behalf of HMRC and will be bound by exactly the same legal obligations. They will also be subject to the same penalties and sanctions regarding unlawful disclosure as HMRC and its directly employed staff. Additionally, HMRC will also, as it does for all third party suppliers, include strict and robust data protection requirements within the contract. Staff recruited for this work will be subject to the same checks as are carried out in respect of staff recruited to HMRC.

Revenue and Customs: Redundancy Pay

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many special severance payments HM Revenue and Customs has made in each of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of the monetary value of such payments for each of those years.

David Gauke: HMRC has made no special severance payments during the last three years. Anyone who has left HMRC with a severance package during the last three years has done so under the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) as part of an exit scheme which has been approved by the Cabinet Office. The severance package received by those individuals has been in line with their entitlement under the CSCS.

Stamp Duties

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to reduce the legal avoidance of stamp duty on property sales through company structures;
	(2)  what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to the Exchequer of the legal avoidance of stamp duty on property sales through company structures;
	(3)  what representations he has received from the property sales industry on the legal avoidance of stamp duty on property sales through company structures.

Chloe Smith: Stamp duty applies to transfers of stock and marketable securities via a stock transfer form.
	There is no liable person for stamp duty and no statutory compulsion to present a document for stamping. So it is not appropriate to refer to “avoidance” in this context.
	However, stamp duty land tax (SDLT) is charged on a land transaction. SDLT is payable by the purchaser in the usual way when a company acquires or disposes of property. As companies may own or sell property for a variety of different reasons it is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the kind requested.
	The Treasury receives representations on all aspects of SDLT, including avoidance. These representations come from a wide range of individuals and organisations.

Stamp Duties

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice his Department provides to (a) small business estate agents and (b) other small businesses considering promoting the legal avoidance of stamp duty on property sales through company structures.

Chloe Smith: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) publishes a series of guides, known as “Spotlights”:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/avoidance/spotlights.htm
	which provide a consumer protection message aimed at deterring people from entering into tax avoidance. Spotlights no. 6, published in June 2010, makes it clear that where HMRC finds property sale arrangements that have been artificially structured to avoid paying the correct amount of stamp duty land tax (SDLT), these will be actively challenged, including through the courts where appropriate.

Trading Funds

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to further regulate the sale of exchange traded funds, including synthetic traded funds, to retail investors; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: Exchange traded funds are regulated by the Undertakings for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities (UCITS) directives. UCITS provides a harmonised EU regulatory framework for collective investment schemes designed to ensure these products are appropriate for retail investors.
	The Government are aware of the recent developments in the exchange traded funds industry and the concerns around the suitability of some of these products for retail investors. The Government believe that it is important for the UCITS brand that products sold under the UCITS directive are suitable for retail investors. We are working closely with the Financial Services Authority and Bank of England to analyse the risks associated with these products and consider what regulatory responses may be necessary.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether legislative change is required to enable HM Revenue and Customs to share real time PAYE information with the Department for Work and Pensions for the calculation of universal credit; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: The legislative changes required to enable HM Revenue and Customs to share real time PAYE information with the Department for Work and Pensions are contained within the Welfare Reform Bill which has passed the House of Lords Committee stage and is now in the middle of the Lord's Report stage.

VAT: Overpayments

David Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review arrangements for the refunding of overpayments of VAT paid by individuals to companies which have subsequently gone into liquidation.

David Gauke: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 22 November 2011, Official Report, column 233W. There are no plans for a review.

Working Tax Credit

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many couples with children receive working tax credit in respect of employment of between 16 and 24 hours per week in each parliamentary constituency;
	(2)  how many children live in households in receipt of working tax credit including a couple working 16 hours and 24 hours per week in each parliamentary constituency; and what estimate he has made of the total amount of working tax credit (a) paid to such couples in working tax credit in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011 and (b) which will be paid to such couples in 2012.

David Gauke: The requested information as of December 2011 has been deposited in the Library of the House. Total amount of working tax credit paid is not available at the constituency level.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Adam Werritty

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Islington North of 31 October 2011, Official Report, column 374W, on Adam Werritty, how many meetings in his official capacity Mr Matthew Gould has attended at which Mr Adam Werritty was present since the commencement of Mr Gould's employment at his Department in 1993.

David Lidington: The Department does not hold information listing all meetings held by officials. However, based on diary records in this case, we are aware of Mr Matthew Gould attending four meetings in his official capacity (8 September 2009, 16 June 2010, 1 September 2010, and 27 September 2010) at which Mr Adam Werritty was present. In addition to this, though they were not meetings, Mr Gould also attended the Herzliya conference in February 2011 and, as listed in the Cabinet Office report on the allegations against my right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox) of 18 September 2011, attended a dinner on 6 February 2011. Mr Werritty was present at these events.

Algeria: Christianity

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Algerian authorities on the religious freedom of Christians in that country.

Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), discussed the importance of reform with the Algerian authorities during his visit in October.
	We are aware that the Algerian authorities have closed some places of worship which have not been registered, including those of Christian groups, since new regulations governing religion in Algeria came into effect in May 2007. I discussed the situation with a delegation of Algerian Christians when I met them on 26 October.
	The British Government raises the issue of human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, with the Government of Algeria through a variety of mechanisms, including the EU-Algeria Association Agreement, which came into force in September 2005. Following a recent visit by Mr Stefan Füle, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU and the Algerian Government have increased dialogue on these issues, by establishing a sub-committee on political dialogue, security and human rights. Freedom of Religion, including for Christian groups, was discussed at the first meeting which was held in October.

Algeria: Religious Freedom

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Algerian government on Ordinance 06-03 on freedom of religious expression in that country.

Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), visited Algeria in October 2011 where he discussed the importance of reform measures, including freedom of expression.
	We are aware that the Algerian authorities have closed some places of worship which have not been registered, including those of Christian groups, since new regulations governing religion in Algeria came into effect in May 2007. I discussed the situation with a delegation of Algerian Christians when I met them on 26 October.
	The British Government raises the issue of human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, with the Government of Algeria through a variety of mechanisms, including the EU-Algeria Association Agreement. The EU and the Algerian Government have increased dialogue on these issues by establishing a sub-committee on political dialogue, security and human rights. Freedom of Religion, including for Christian groups, was discussed at the first meeting which was held in October.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will lead the UK negotiating delegation (a) in preparation for and (b) at the next UN Preparatory Committee for the International Arms Trade Treaty in February 2012.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is the lead Government Department on an arms trade treaty, with the head of the FCO's Counter Proliferation Department acting as the head of the UK delegation.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) bi-lateral and (b) multi-lateral meetings (i) he and (ii) his officials have had with their international counterparts to discuss the agreement of a robust Arms Trade Treaty in preparation for the final Preparatory Committee in February 2012.

Alistair Burt: Securing a robust and effective arms trade treaty (ATT) is a priority for the Government. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials regularly raise the treaty with their international counterparts, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to highlight the importance of an ATT and to understand the positions of other states.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure a transparent reporting mechanism and effective monitoring and verification procedures are part of any agreement on the Arms Trade Treaty.

Alistair Burt: The Government's commitment to transparent export controls is demonstrated through the publication of the UK's annual report on strategic export controls. The UK continues to argue for effective transparency mechanisms within an arms trade treaty, both on the treaty's application and its implementation, and regularly raises the issue in its meetings with other states and during the UN negotiations.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure a transparent reporting mechanism and effective monitoring and verification procedures are part of any agreement on the Arms Trade Treaty.

Alistair Burt: The Government's commitment to transparent export controls is demonstrated through the publication of the UK's annual report on strategic export controls. The UK continues to argue for effective transparency mechanisms within an arms trade treaty, both on the treaty's application and its implementation, and regularly raises the issue in its meetings with other states and during the UN negotiations.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution his Department is making to developing policy on the inclusion of import, export, re-export, transit, transhipment, brokering activities and the gifting, loan or lease of arms within the terms of the Arms Trade Treaty.

Alistair Burt: The UK supports an arms trade treaty (ATT) with a broad scope that covers a range of activities and transfers. The cross-Whitehall team on ATT has held a number of technical meetings on different aspects of the treaty, including how different types of transfer and activity could be dealt with by an ATT, and these meetings will continue as we approach the UN conference in July 2012.

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's officials at each grade are working on the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations; whether there has been any change in the personnel leading on this matter; and whether he expects any further changes to be made before July 2012.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Counter Proliferation Department lead on the negotiation of an arms trade treaty (ATT) and are supported by many other departments and posts across the FCO's extensive network. The FCO does not keep records on the different grades of officials working on the issue. The head of the FCO's Counter Proliferation Department lead's the UK delegation on ATT.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has asked the National Security Council to discuss the Arms Trade Treaty.

Alistair Burt: The National Security Council has not discussed an arms trade treaty (ATT). The UK has a cross-Whitehall team, with representatives from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence, Department for International Development and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, working on ATT, with additional expertise supplied by other Government Departments as required.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution his Department has made to policy development on including small arms, light weapons and ammunition within the terms of the arms trade treaty.

Alistair Burt: The UK supports a comprehensive scope for an arms trade treaty (ATT), including small arms and light weapons and ammunition. The cross-Whitehall team on ATT has held a number of technical meetings on different aspects of the treaty, including on the treaty's scope, and these meetings will continue as we approach the UN conference in July 2012.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department provides (a) training and (b) detailed briefings on the arms trade treaty to all staff working in overseas posts; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the Treaty is raised in all relevant bi-lateral meetings.

Alistair Burt: The UK maintains a leading global position on an arms trade treaty (ATT), and regularly provides updates and briefing on the treaty to overseas posts and senior officials. ATT is regularly raised in bilateral and multilateral meetings with states, and this outreach will intensify as we approach the crucial negotiating conference in July 2012.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions (a) he has had and (b) his officials have had with their EU counterparts on the EU position on the arms trade treaty.

Alistair Burt: The EU is strongly supportive of efforts to secure a robust and effective arms trade treaty (ATT). The EU and its member states regularly co-ordinate activity in support of the treaty at a dedicated EU ATT sub-group, attached to the COARM working group, and in EU co-ordination meetings before and during UN negotiations in New York.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that negotiations on the arms trade treaty in 2012 include representatives from civil society and non-governmental organisations.

Alistair Burt: Civil society and non-governmental organisations have played a crucial role in the progress made on an arms trade treaty (ATT) so far, including through regular meetings with UK officials and by providing a representative on the UK ATT team. Alongside Ambassador Moritan of Argentina, the Chair of the UN process on ATT, the UK has worked to ensure that civil society retain a voice in the UN Preparatory Committee meetings, and we will continue to support this approach at the UN conference in 2012.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which representatives from his Department have attended each of the UN Preparatory Committee meetings for the International Arms Trade treaty; and which representatives from his Department will attend the meeting in February 2012.

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is the lead Government Department on an Arms Trade treaty. The head of the UK delegation is the head of the FCO’s counter proliferation department. The UK delegation also includes other representatives from the FCO’s counter proliferation department, its UK mission in Geneva, as well as representatives from cross-Whitehall Departments. This representational approach will continue at the Preparatory Committee meeting in February 2012.

Bahrain: Human Rights

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) contacts and (b) meetings the UK embassy in Bahrain has had with human rights groups in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Our embassy in Bahrain has been in contact with various human rights groups over the past 12 months, both from Bahrain and the international community. This has included organisations such as the Human Rights Defenders, Pen International, the Bahrain Human Rights Society and the Bahrain Transparency Society, among others.
	We expect the Bahraini Government to meet all its human rights obligations by ensuring its citizens can exercise the universal human rights and freedoms to which they are entitled.

British Nationals Abroad: Kidnapping

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department provides to relatives of British nationals kidnapped overseas.

Jeremy Browne: Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff maintain regular contact with the relatives of British nationals kidnapped overseas, ensuring they are kept up to date with any developments. The exact level of support depends on the individual cases, but includes regular welfare phone calls and family meetings. If appropriate, we also put families in touch with other specialist agencies such as Hostage UK. In some cases, British police forces appoint a family liaison officer.

British Nationals Abroad: Kidnapping

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have been kidnapped abroad in each of the last five years.

Jeremy Browne: We do not have an exact figure as not every case is brought to our attention, but our records show the number of kidnaps involving British nationals abroad in the past five years is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Total 
			 2007 71 
			 2008 83 
			 2009 47 
			 2010 59 
			 2011 40

Colombia: Armed Conflict

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia to reach a politically negotiated solution to the conflict in Colombia.

Jeremy Browne: Colombia's president, Juan Manuel Santos has stated, including during his visit to the United Kingdom in November, that he would like to return peace to Colombia. His government has set out clear conditions for initiating a political peace process with the Revolutionary armed forces of Colombia. These include the release of all hostages, an end to the recruitment of child soldiers and stopping the use of anti-personnel mines. We have told the president that he has the British Government's full support in his wish to find a lasting solution to Colombia's armed conflict.
	We agree that a political process is an essential part of reaching that end and remain content to provide support to a formal peace process in response to any formal request from the Colombian Government. We already work closely with the Colombian Government in a number of areas where progress is essential for a lasting peace, such as on the new Land and Victims' Law and in tackling drug trafficking.

Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has used the services of a debt recovery agency (Clarke Willmott) on one occasion in the UK since May 2010.
	Overseas, finances within the FCO are devolved to our network of nearly 270 posts and details of any debt recovery agencies used could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many apprentices were employed by each public body for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships he expects each public body to sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April 2012 and March 2013.

Henry Bellingham: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Services, a trading fund of the FCO which provides secure services worldwide, has run an apprenticeship scheme since the 1960s. New apprentices are taken once a year in September, and the programme lasts for three years. Run in conjunction with Milton Keynes college, the programme runs in line with the academic calendar and the figures shown in the following table represent the total number of people enrolled on the scheme.
	
		
			  Total number of people enrolled on the scheme 
			 April 2010 until September 2010 40 
			 September 2011 until September 2012 29 
			 September 2012 until September 2013 (1)29 
			 (1) Planned. 
		
	
	None of the other public bodies for which the FCO is responsible reports any apprenticeship schemes over the specified period.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to sponsor apprenticeships in each of the public bodies for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011, (b) April 2011 and March 2012 and (c) April 2012 and March 2013.

Henry Bellingham: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Services, a trading fund of the FCO which provides secure services worldwide, has run an apprenticeship scheme since the 1960s. New apprentices are taken once a year in September, and the programme lasts for three years. Run in conjunction with Milton Keynes college, the programme runs in line with the academic calendar and the figures shown in the following table represent the cost of the scheme to FCO Services as a business.
	Expenditure on the programme is as follows:
	
		
			 April to March each year £ 
			 (a) 2010-11 1,056,000 
			 (b) 2011-12 (1)962,000 
			 (c) 2012-13 (2)— 
			 (1) Estimated. (2) Figure not known but will be in line with current financial year. 
		
	
	In the second and third year of the programme, apprentices can work on live projects in order to gain the necessary skills and experience. This means that some of the costs can be recovered where work is chargeable.
	None of the other public bodies for which the FCO is responsible reports any spending on apprenticeship schemes over the specified period.

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what equality impact assessments his Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

Henry Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) considers equality issues in exercising its functions, to comply with equality legislation and to ensure it understands how its activities will affect different people. Information about the number of such documents published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, equality impact assessments carried out since May 2010 include those to evaluate: the UK Estate Reform programme; changes to the system of promotion for administrative assistants and administrative officers; changes to the policy on the provision of accommodation for staff serving overseas; a proposed reduction in the number of overseas postings at administrative officer and executive officer level; and the e-learning training service.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

Henry Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not made any redundancy payments to civil servants between September and November 2011.

Departmental Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 602W, on departmental written questions, what the question number is of each written parliamentary question which was answered after 30 sitting days.

David Lidington: The question numbers were UIN21457, UIN21467, UIN54582 and UIN54598.

Diplomatic Service

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of its provision of consular services in each overseas country; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Browne: Our consular services are described in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) publication “Support for British nationals abroad: A guide” which is available on the FCO website at:
	www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/support-for-british-nationals-abroad.pdf
	This includes a customer charter containing targets for services such as issuing emergency travel documents and contacting British nationals in hospital or detention. Our internal management information allows us to measure performance against these targets in each country.
	We also actively encourage British nationals to provide feedback on our services through a customer satisfaction survey which is available online and in paper format at our embassies and consulates. We use customer feedback to inform us about the quality of our services and identify areas for improvement. In addition, we take account of feedback from Members of Parliament, the travel industry and our non-governmental organisation partners.

Diplomatic Service

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria his Department uses to determine what forms of consular service it provides in overseas countries; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Browne: Our consular services are described in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) publication “Support for British nationals abroad: A guide” which is available on the FCO website at:
	www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/support-for-british-nationals-abroad.pdf
	We have four major areas of activity:
	(i) We help British nationals who are in difficulty abroad in a range of situations including: victims of crime, hospitalisations, deaths, detentions, forced marriages, child abductions, missing people and kidnapping.
	(ii) We respond to major crises affecting British nationals abroad.
	(iii) We issue emergency travel documents and provide notarial and documentary services.
	(iv) We also provide travel advice and other information in order for British nationals to avoid trouble and stay safe overseas.
	We consulted widely in shaping our consular strategy for 2010-13—available on the FCO website at:
	www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/publications
	We commissioned research in order to improve our understanding of our customers, their requirements and how best to provide services to them.
	We also take account of what British nationals, both travellers and residents; tell us about our services in response to our customer satisfaction survey or through complaints and compliments.
	We listen to the feedback we receive from Members of Parliament, non-governmental organisations and others. As a result, our efforts are focused on providing the highest quality assistance to the most vulnerable people in the most difficult situations, working with partners if they are best placed to provide the service. For example, during 2011, we have enhanced the support provided to families bereaved by a murder or manslaughter abroad, working in partnership with the Victim Support National Homicide Service.

Employment Agencies

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011.

Henry Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has spent a total of £26,128.14 on recruitment agencies since September 2011.
	The monthly spend is:
	
		
			  £ 
			 September 14,114.64 
			 October 0 
			 November 6,337.20 
			 December 5,676.30 
		
	
	This figure covers recruitment for UK-based members of staff only. It excludes recruitment undertaken by overseas posts advertising for local staff positions as the figures for this are not held centrally. All of the positions for which external recruitment campaigns were held during this period were approved for external recruitment as either business critical or a front line service, in accordance with the terms of the Government-wide recruitment freeze.

Eritrea: Politics and Government

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Eritrea on (a) its human rights observance and (b) the UN sanctions policy; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: The information requested is as follows:
	Human rights
	We regularly discuss the importance of human rights observance with the Government of Eritrea at both official and ministerial level. Most recently, I expressed concerns to the Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh in a meeting on 21 September last year. I raised a number of specific cases including the case of the ‘G11’group of opposition figures detained without charge since 2001. On 23 September, the 10th anniversary of the arrest of the G11, I issued a statement offering solidarity to all those Eritreans engaged in the struggle for human rights. The British ambassador in Asmara regularly raises human rights issues with the Eritrean Government. Human rights concerns are also regularly raised between the EU and the Eritrean Government.
	UN Sanctions
	UN Security Council Resolution 2023 on the extension of sanctions on Eritrea was adopted by majority vote by the UN Security Council on 5 December last year. We see the sanctions as appropriate, proportionate, and carefully targeted to prevent any negative humanitarian impact. The Prime Minister wrote to President Isaias on 20 September about the Eritrean refutation of the UN Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group's allegations that the Eritrean leadership had committed multiple violations of Security Council resolutions. I raised allegations about Eritrea's involvement in the Addis Ababa bomb plot with Mr Saleh on 21 September and have corresponded with Mr Saleh on UN sanctions policy. The issue has also been discussed at official level.

Ethiopia: Politics and Government

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of (a) Somalia and (b) Ethiopia on the Ogaden and its people; and if he will make a statement.

Henry Bellingham: There have been no recent meetings with the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia on the Ogaden and its people.
	I discussed the Ogaden with Regional President, Abdi Mohammed Omar, when I visited Ethiopia's Somali region in late July 2011. The British embassy in Addis Ababa also regularly discusses the Ogaden region with Ethiopian Federal and Regional Government. The issue was discussed most recently by the chargé d’affaires and Hailemarian Dessalegn, the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister, in late November. In these discussions we stressed the importance of ensuring that the response to the region's genuine security concerns is proportionate and avoids causing suffering to the civilian population, and have highlighted the need for humanitarian agencies to have adequate access to the region.
	We welcome the two peace agreements in 2010 between the Ethiopian Government and the United Western Somali Liberation Front and one faction of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF). We hope that meaningful progress towards peace will be achieved through the effective implementation of these agreements and through further dialogue between Ethiopia and the remaining faction of the ONLF.

Falkland Islands

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of staff resource allocated to the team within his Department with responsibility for the Falkland Islands.

Jeremy Browne: Overall responsibility for Falkland Islands policy in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) sits with the Overseas Territories Directorate, working in close co-operation with others in London as well as with staff in Stanley and Buenos Aires and elsewhere in Latin America.
	Our current staff resource is appropriate, but as with the rest of FCO staffing levels is periodically reviewed so we have the flexibility to respond to operational demand.

Falkland Islands

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of an attempted economic blockade of the Falkland Islands by Argentina; and what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) ships have a right of passage and (b) there is freedom of air access to and from the Islands.

Jeremy Browne: We reject Argentina's attempts to intimidate the Falkland Islands population through economic pressure.
	We do not consider Argentina's Presidential Decree 256, passed in February 2010, to be compliant with international law and have repeatedly protested it in private and in public, including in letters circulated at the United Nations General Assembly. The decree does not appear to have had a practical impact on the passage of vessels between the Falkland Islands and South America.
	On 15 December the Government of Uruguay declared that it would deny access to its ports to ships flying the Falkland Islands flag. This was followed four days later by a statement from the summit of the Mercosur group of countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with associate members including Chile) that echoed the Uruguayan announcement. We have protested strongly this development and held productive and honest discussions with Uruguay, Chile and Brazil about the practical implications. All three countries have said that they have no intention of participating in an economic blockade of the Falkland Islands and that all Falklands-related commercial shipping will continue to enjoy access to their ports, in accordance with domestic and international law, if they are flying the Red Ensign or another national flag while docked.
	The British Government maintain twice weekly flights between the Falkland Islands and the UK and continue to monitor and support other air access routes to and from the Islands. This includes LAN Chile's weekly flight between Punta Arenas and Port Stanley, which President Kirchner threatened in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in September. We have stressed that support for this or any other move to intimidate an innocent civilian population through economic pressure would be unacceptable and unbecoming for any Latin American democracy. We are not aware of any further action by Argentina to give effect to Mrs Kirchner's threat and continue to monitor developments very closely.

Falkland Islands

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on relations between Argentina and British companies wishing to work in the Falkland Islands.

Jeremy Browne: Many British companies operate successfully in Argentina, but Argentina prohibits by law any company operating there if it is connected to the hydrocarbons sector in the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islanders have the right to trade openly and without hindrance. The British Government support unreservedly the right of any company to work on the Falkland Islands, including those from the United Kingdom, and rejects Argentina's attempts to restrict this.

Forced Marriage

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many forced marriage cases have occurred in the UK in each of the last five years.

Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not collate data on the number of forced marriages that have occurred in the UK in each of the last five years. However, the number of instances where the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) has provided advice or support related to a possible forced marriage is as follows:
	2010: 1,735 reports of forced marriage.
	2009: 1,682 reports of forced marriage.
	2008: 1,618 reports of forced marriage.
	Prior to 2008 the FMU only collated data on cases where direct assistance was provided, which comprised the following:
	2007: 262 cases of forced marriage.
	2006: 197 cases of forced marriage.

Forced Marriage

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many forced marriages the Forced Marriage Unit has prevented in each of the last five years.

Jeremy Browne: The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) does not hold data on the number of forced marriages it has prevented in each of the last five years. However, the number of instances where the FMU has provided advice or support related to a possible forced marriage is as follows:
	
		
			  Reports of forced marriage 
			 2010 1,735 
			 2009 1,682 
			 2008 1,618 
		
	
	Prior to 2008 the FMU only collated data on cases where direct assistance was provided:
	
		
			  Cases of forced marriage 
			 2007 262 
			 2006 197

Forced Marriage: Young People

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many victims of forced marriages were (a) women, (b) men and (c) under the age of 16 years in each of the last five years.

Jeremy Browne: In 2010, the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) provided advice or support in 1,735 cases of possible forced marriage. Of these, 1,388 cases (86%) involved female victims and 243 cases (14%) involved male victims. The FMU provided direct assistance in 469 cases. Of these 240 were British nationals in need of assistance abroad, or victims in the UK; and 229 were the reluctant sponsor in an entry clearance application. Of the 240 assistance cases, 11 cases involved minors under the age of 16.
	In 2009, the FMU provided advice or support in 1,682 cases of possible forced marriage. Of these, 1,447 cases (86%) involved female victims and 235 cases (14%) involved male victims. The FMU provided direct assistance in 377 cases. Of these 240 were British nationals in need of assistance abroad, or victims in the UK; and 137 were the reluctant sponsor in entry clearance applications. Of the 240 assistance cases, 15 cases involved minors under the age of 16.
	In 2008, the FMU provided advice or support in 1,618 cases of possible forced marriage. Of these, 1,375 cases (85%) involved female victims and 243 (15%) involved male victims. The FMU provided direct assistance in 430 cases. Of these, 222 were British nationals in need of assistance abroad, or victims in the UK; and 208 the reluctant sponsor in entry clearance applications. Of the 222 assistance cases, 12 cases involved minors under the age of 16.
	Prior to 2008 the FMU only collated data on cases where direct assistance was provided:
	
		
			  Cases of forced marriage 
			 2007 262 
			 2006 197

Haiti: Reconstruction

Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government has taken steps within the UN to seek a change in the UN mandate in Haiti from one of peacekeeping to one of reconstruction.

Henry Bellingham: The role of the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) is to maintain peace and security, and to provide an enabling environment in which civilian UN and other international development agencies such as the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and European Union can work with the Haitian authorities to achieve their reconstruction and development goals. Peacekeepers should not be tasked to undertake reconstruction or development roles that others are better able to perform. We have argued at the UN Security Council that development of the Haitian National Police should be MINUSTAH's first priority and have called on the Government of Haiti to engage fully in what needs to be a joint capacity building effort. While this is underway. Haiti will require the continued support of MINUSTAH and international donors to bolster the capacity of its rule of law and security institutions.

Ilois: Resettlement

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total legal costs have been incurred to date by his Department in defending actions brought by the Chagos Islanders; and what the cost to date to the public purse is of the case before the European Court of Human Rights.

Henry Bellingham: Legal costs incurred by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in defending cases brought by Chagossians are £1,757,390.92, inc VAT, since 2001. We do not hold easily accessible figures for the Vencatassen case brought in 1975.
	Additionally, the costs to the public purse related to the European Court of Human Rights case are £32,377 ex VAT. These figures do not include legal aid to the plaintiffs.

Lancaster House: Energy Performance Certificates

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the energy performance certificate rating is of Lancaster House.

David Lidington: Lancaster House does not have an energy performance certificate (EPC) as it has not been constructed, sold or rented since the introduction of EPCs. It has a display energy certificate (DEC). Its DEC operational rating is 65 Band C.

Laos: Diplomatic Service

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department plans to provide a permanently staffed consular service in Laos.

Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no plans at present to open a UK post in Laos. Consular services in Laos are provided by our embassy in Bangkok and the Australian embassy in Vientiane.

Laos: Diplomatic Service

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consular services his Department provides to British citizens in Laos; and if he will make a statement.

Jeremy Browne: Our consular services are described in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) publication “Support for British nationals abroad: A guide” which is available on the FCO website at:
	www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/support-for-british-nationals-abroad.pdf
	Consular services for British nationals in Laos are provided by our embassy in Bangkok and the Australian embassy in Vientiane.

Libya: Assets

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department plans to apply to the UN Sanctions Committee to release some or all of the Libyan assets frozen in the UK.

Alistair Burt: Working with the Libyan authorities, the UK led the way in securing the removal of UN sanctions from the Central Bank of Libya and the Libya Arab Foreign Bank, which was agreed by the UN Sanctions Committee on Friday 16 December. Once the EU has passed the relevant regulations in response to this UN decision around £6.5 billion of assets held in the UK will be unfrozen. We will continue to work with the Libyan Government and other nations to agree the steps required to remove the remaining sanctions, so that Libya's assets can be used for the benefit of its people.

Libya: Politics and Government

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what access to security information held by the (a) current government and (b) previous regime in Libya has been offered to UK officials inquiring into the cases of those forcibly returned to Libya before April 2011.

Alistair Burt: It is the policy of successive British Governments not to comment on security and intelligence matters.

Nigeria: Equality

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what steps his Department is taking to promote equality in Nigeria;
	(2)  whether he has held discussions with his Nigerian counterpart on the subject of equality.

Henry Bellingham: The British Government address the problems of inequality, poverty, gender, inter-communal violence, treatment of minorities and human rights in Nigeria in a number of different ways. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office works alongside other Government Departments, especially the Department for International Development (DFID), to implement effective programmes in these areas. DFID spends an average of £250 million per year in Nigeria, working to reduce poverty and establish sustainable solutions to the divisions in Nigerian society, working towards a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Nigeria. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not had specific discussions with his Nigerian counterpart on equality, however, through our high commission in Abuja, we continue to deliver messages to the Nigerian Government, at all levels, about the importance of equality and protection of human rights in underpinning a strong, democratic society.
	The Prime Minister visited Nigeria in July, and agreed communiqué with President Goodluck Jonathan setting out the direction of the UK/Nigeria relationship. Both leaders expressed their commitment to ensuring a strong democratic base in Nigeria and sustainable economic growth. The Prime Minister outlined the UK’s commitment to development assistance so as to create this positive environment.

Occupied Territories: Housing

Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the contribution of the Minister for Europe of 14 December 2011, Official Report, column 304WH, on Israel, under which international laws settlements are illegal.

Alistair Burt: Settlements are illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, to which Israel is a state party. Articles 47-78 of this convention impose substantial obligations on occupying powers. As well as numerous provisions for the general welfare of the inhabitants of an occupied territory, an occupier may not forcibly deport protected persons, or deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into occupied territory (Art.49).
	The Occupied Palestinian Territories were not lawfully part of the state of Israel at its creation or at any point thereafter, and we consider that the level of control that Israel retains over the territories amounts to occupation under international law. The Supreme Court of Israel has previously found that the West Bank is held in belligerent occupation. And the International Court of Justice has held that the West Bank and East Jerusalem are occupied territories and that the Fourth Geneva Convention applies. The legal arguments for that finding can be found in the full record of the advisory opinion.

Sikhs

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will have discussions with the Sikh Council UK and Sikh Federation (UK) on policy matters relating to the Sikh community;
	(2)  what plans he has to met the Sikh Federation (UK) to discuss Italian airport security checks on British Sikhs;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with the Italian Government on airport security checks on British Sikhs.

David Lidington: The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) leads on engagement with faith communities. I do not currently have plans to meet the Sikh Federation (UK). DCLG have been facilitating discussions between the Department for Transport and a range of bodies representing British Sikhs on security checks at European airports. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have also been in contact with the Sikh Federation (UK).
	I understand that the Italian authorities confirmed in June that Sikhs would no longer be required to remove their turbans at airports. Furthermore, officials in the Department for Transport have been in contact with officials in the Italian embassy in London and have met with Sikh representative organisations over the course of 2011.

Somalia: Conferences

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will attend the International Conference on Somalia in London in February 2012.

Henry Bellingham: The London Conference on Somalia on 23 February 2012 will seek to deliver a new, action-oriented international approach to Somalia building on the progress being made on the ground.
	The attendance list is being finalised. Governments and multilateral organisations that are active and influential on Somalia, as well as representatives from Somalia itself, have been invited to the conference.
	We will also organise a number of events in January and February to ensure that civil society and Somali Diaspora representatives have an opportunity to contribute to the conference outcomes.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the recent publication in Sri Lanka of the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, what recent representations he has made to his Sri Lankan counterparts concerning investigation of enforced disappearances in that country.

Alistair Burt: The Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report states the issue of missing persons is a matter which needs urgently to be addressed. We look forward to hearing from the Sri Lankan Government how they intend to do this. According to local Sri Lankan media there were 13 incidents of extrajudicial killings or disappearances between November and December. Most cases of past disappearances remain unresolved and our high commission in Colombo regularly raises concerns with relevant authorities in Sri Lanka regarding disappearances.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 607W, on Sri Lanka: politics and government, what assessment he has made of whether the recent report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission demonstrates Sri Lanka's commitment to (a) national reconciliation and (b) accountability.

Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the establishment of an international investigation into alleged wartime abuses in Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Since the end of the military conflict, the UK and other members of the international community have consistently called for an independent, thorough and credible investigation into the allegations that war crimes were committed by both sides.
	Under international law it is the primary responsibility of the state concerned to investigate and, where necessary, prosecute credible allegations of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support an international investigative mechanism into the Sri Lankan conflict; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: Since the end of the military conflict, the UK and other members of the international community have consistently called for an independent, thorough and credible investigation into the allegations that war crimes were committed by both sides.
	We believe that the process of reconciliation between Sri Lanka's communities has a greater chance of success if investigations are Sri Lankan led rather than externally imposed.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings officials of his Department (a) have had and (b) plan to have with members of the United Nations Secretary-General's Panel of Experts to discuss the report of the Sri Lankan Government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

Alistair Burt: There have been no meetings between Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials and members of the United Nations Secretary-General's Panel of Experts. There are no current plans for any meetings in the foreseeable future.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the (a) comprehensiveness and (b) accuracy of the report of the Sri Lankan Government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he (a) has had and (b) plans to have with his counterpart in (i) in Sri Lanka and (ii) elsewhere on the report of the Sri Lankan Government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

Alistair Burt: Officials from our high commission in Colombo attended the briefing session that Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, GL Peiris, gave on 19 December. I spoke to Foreign Minister Peiris on 6 January.
	Officials discuss the situation in Sri Lanka with international partners on a regular basis.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to the recommendations contained in the Sri Lankan Government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report.

Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from (a) the International Crisis Group, (b) Amnesty International and (c) Human Rights Watch on the Sri Lankan government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report.

Alistair Burt: We have received no direct representations from International Crisis Group (ICG), Amnesty International (AI) or Human Rights Watch (HRW). I am however aware of the statements that have been made by ICG, AI and HRW following the publication of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the contribution by the hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire of 15 September 2011, Official Report, column 1291, on human rights in the Indian Subcontinent, what assessment he has made of whether Sri Lanka's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report sets out clear steps towards accountability in respect of allegations of war crimes.

Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the witness protection mechanisms of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

Alistair Burt: Sri Lanka does not have a functioning witness protection system and the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) did not establish any separate procedures. Unidentified plain-clothed individuals reportedly photographed civilians who testified during its public hearings, which ran from August 2010 to March 2011. Despite this, a number of affected civilians gave evidence. The majority were concerned about locating disappeared and missing relatives. Our high commission in Colombo has raised concerns with the Sri Lankan Government over witness protection for those appearing before the LLRC on a number of occasions.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on implementation of the recommendations in the UN Panel of Experts report on Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: We have urged the Sri Lankan Government to respond constructively to the UN Panel’s report. Officials discuss the situation in Sri Lanka with international partners on a regular basis.

Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report.

Alistair Burt: We have been studying the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’s report in detail and intend to make a statement shortly. We look forward to the Sri Lankan Government acting upon the recommendations.

Sri Lanka: Politics and Government

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the political situation in Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: The UK wants to see Sri Lanka achieve a lasting and equitable peace through an inclusive political solution that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict and takes into account the legitimate grievances and aspirations of all Sri Lankan communities. Progress in the last two years has been mixed. We continue to press all key players to do more.
	The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, a Government appointed commission to examine events relating to the civil war from 2002 to 2009, published its report on 16 December 2011. We are studying the report and intend to make a statement shortly.

Syria: Christianity

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations to the Syrian government he has made arising from reports of the persecution of Christians in Syria; what other steps he has taken in response to such reports; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: We make clear in our contacts with the Syrian regime our deep concerns about ongoing human rights abuses in Syria and the need for the regime to stop the violence against its own people.
	The Assad regime has demonstrated that it is unwilling to protect the rights, freedoms and interest of Syrians. We believe President Assad's actions include a deliberate attempt to ferment sectarian tensions across Syria, especially in Homs where we have seen an increase in level of violence. The regime's actions continue to undermine the stability and security of Syria and therefore endanger all of Syria's citizens, including religious minorities. President Assad has lost legitimacy and should step aside.
	We are encouraging Syrian opposition groups to reach out and engage with minority communities, including Christians, and to maintain a clear commitment to a peaceful and non-sectarian approach. They should reassure all Syrians that they are working towards a Syrian state which is democratic, inclusive, representative, respectful of its ethnic and religious minorities and which adheres to international human rights conventions.
	Following his meeting with members of Syria's opposition on 21 November, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made a statement which urged opposition representatives to unite around a common political platform that will enable the people of Syria to see a pathway to a clear alternative to dictatorship and repression. He particularly stressed the importance of respecting the rights of minorities, so that all Syria's citizens are protected and have a stake in the future of the country.

Syria: Opposition

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic recognition he has given to representatives of the Syrian opposition.

Alistair Burt: The UK Government have not given diplomatic recognition to any representatives of the Syrian opposition. It is not for the UK to recognise the Syrian opposition, it is for the Syrian people. We believe it is vital for the many groups that form the Syrian opposition to work together to define a plan for a transition to a more open political system in Syria. We encourage them to maintain their peaceful and non-sectarian approach, and to work towards a Syria which will be democratic, inclusive, representative, respectful of its ethnic and religious minorities and adheres to international law.
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), last saw members of the Syrian opposition on 21 November 2011, including Dr. Burhan Ghalioun, the Chairman of the largest opposition umbrella group, the Syrian National Council (SNC). The Secretary of State urged the opposition representatives to unite around a common political platform that would enable the people of Syria to see a pathway to a clear alternative to dictatorship and repression. The Secretary of State also appointed Frances Guy, an ambassador-level official, to take forward Her Majesty's Government's discussions with the Syrian opposition.

Syria: Politics and Government

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on how many refugees have left Syria for (a) Turkey, (b) Jordan and (c) Lebanon in 2011 to date.

Alistair Burt: The Turkish Government and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) are reporting that there are 8,400 refugees remaining in Turkey.
	In Jordan the UNHCR reported on 15 December that 1,832 Syrian's had registered with them since the 1 March.
	The UNHCR have also recently reported that the number of registered Syrian refugees in Lebanon is now 4,500.
	We have made clear our condemnation of the situation in Syria and called upon the Syrian Government to end the violence against civilians immediately.

Syria: Politics and Government

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Syria.

Alistair Burt: The United Nations estimates that over 5,000 people have been killed, including 300 children, since protests started in March 2011. British Government Ministers have made clear our concern about the situation in Syria and our condemnation of violence and repression against civilians by the Syrian regime security forces. We support the efforts of the Arab League to put pressure on the Syrian regime to end the violence and its current observer mission. We are deeply concerned that the Syrian regime has not implemented the Arab League plan to which it agreed on 2 November 2011. This set out that the Syrian regime would end the violence; to withdrawal of troops from the streets of Syria; to release detainees and to engage in a meaningful dialogue with oppositionists. We encourage the Syrian oppositionists to work together to define a united, peaceful vision for the future of Syria. We have intensified our engagement with Syrian opposition by appointing an ambassador-level contact.
	The bomb attacks in Damascus on 23 December 2011 and 6 January 2012 are a worrying sign of the increasing instability in Syria. We have made clear our belief that President Assad should step aside in the best interests of Syria and the unity of its people.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish his Department's policy on the provision of intelligence to facilitate attacks by drone aircraft.

Alistair Burt: We do not comment on intelligence matters. All activity, whether in support of UK or allied forces, is authorised and in strict accordance with UK policy and law.
	Drone strikes are a matter for the US and Pakistan. Both are key allies, who are facing a shared and dangerous threat from violent extremists who also threaten the UK. There is a need for effective action, and for Pakistani ownership of the fight against violent extremism. It is important that Pakistan and the international community continue to work together to combat this common threat, and we expect all concerned to act in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law.

Yemen: Politics and Government

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 November 2011, Official Report, columns 665-66W, on Yemen, what assessment he has made of whether units of the Yemani security forces trained by the UK have been involved in human rights violations against protesters.

Alistair Burt: There have been credible reports that some elements of the Yemeni security forces may have committed human rights violations to control and disperse crowds of protesters, raising concern and condemnation from the international community including the United Nations. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have publicly expressed our serious concern at the use of lethal force, and called for restraint and for those responsible to be brought to justice. The UK has actively supported work by the UN Security Council, leading to Resolution 2014, and discussions at the Human Rights Council and the successfully adopted resolution in September.
	It is well known that the UK has been working with the Yemeni Government for some years to increase the capability of its armed forces to tackle the threat posed by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and to help develop a non-lethal public order capability within the Yemeni Security forces. All training supporting the Yemeni Central Security Force and Coastguard was suspended in spring last year due to the deteriorating security situation. All training was delivered in accordance with UK values and international human rights standards. Before providing any military support or training to Yemeni forces, the UK Government seek assurances that these forces will not be deployed on operations outside their mandate or in breach of human rights.
	While we know of reports of various units of the Yemeni security forces exercising disproportionate levels of force against unarmed protesters, we are not aware of reports confirming the participation of units which have received UK-delivered training.

WALES

Business

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Government are taking to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales to grow.

Cheryl Gillan: Economic development is devolved in Wales so it is for the Welsh Government to take a leading role in helping small and medium-sized enterprises.
	In the last 16 months, the Government have announced a number of measures intended to help businesses across Wales to grow:
	additional expenditure on important infrastructure including electrifying the Great Western Mainline to South Wales;
	creating a superfast broadband network with £57.9 million allocated to Wales and additional funding committed to Cardiff as a super-connected city;
	cutting corporation tax, reforming the tax system and simplifying our tax codes;
	a national insurance contributions holiday for new start-ups outside London, the south east and the east of England, worth up to £5,000 for each of the first ten employees hired in the first year;
	reducing regulation and stopping new unnecessary legislation being brought in; and
	securing agreement with four of the UK's biggest high street banks to lend £76 billion to small and medium-sized enterprises this year—£10 billion or 15% more than was lent in 2010.
	And in last month's autumn statement, we announced further measures to help businesses, including SMEs across Wales such as:
	deferring the January fuel duty increase and cancelling the August inflation rise;
	Implementing credit easing measures to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises; and
	a range of measures to support an increase in SME exports.
	We remain committed to working with the Welsh Government for the benefit of the Welsh economy.

Christmas

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether her Department plans to hold a (a) Christmas carol concert and (b) Christmas party for its staff in 2011.

Cheryl Gillan: The Department did not hold a carol concert, but the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd West (Mr Jones), and I hosted a small party for the staff in London and Cardiff in December 2011 at our personal expense, to thank them for their efforts over the year.

Coal

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with (a) the First Minister of the Welsh Government and (b) representatives of the coal industry in Wales; and if she will make a statement.

Cheryl Gillan: I have regular discussions with the First Minister and with industry leaders on a range of issues affecting Wales.

Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times her Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: The Wales Office has never used debt recovery companies.

Departmental Manpower

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were working in her Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011.

David Jones: There were 59 staff working in the Wales Office on 11 May 2010, and 51 staff working there on 8 December 2011.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in her Department in each month between September and November 2011.

David Jones: No redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in the Wales Office during this period.

Departmental Secondment

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what secondments there have been to her Department from (a) industry and (b) the third sector since May 2010; what the (i) purpose and (ii) duration is of each secondment; and whether each secondment was to a policy development role.

David Jones: There have been no secondments to the Wales Office during this period from either industry or the third sector.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many temporary staff were recruited to her Department between September and November 2011.

David Jones: One member of staff was recruited to the Wales Office on a temporary basis during this period.

Devolution

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date she last met the Chair of the Commission on Devolution in Wales.

Cheryl Gillan: I met the Chair on 4 November 2011.

Domestic Visits

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many nights she has spent in North Wales on official business since May 2010.

Cheryl Gillan: We have defined North Wales to include the following constituencies—Ynys Mon, Arfon, Aberconwy, Clwyd West, Vale of Clwyd, Delyn, Alyn and Deeside, Wrexham and Clwyd South. On that basis I have spent five nights in North Wales on official business since May 2010.

Domestic Visits

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many visits to Wales she (a) made in 2011 and (b) expects to make in 2012.

Cheryl Gillan: I made around 60 official visits to Wales in 2011. Diary arrangements are not finalised for 2012.

Domestic Visits

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when she last visited (a) Cardiff, (b) Swansea, (c) Newport, (d) Bangor, (e) Anglesey, (f) Blaenau Gwent, (g) Merthyr Tydfil, (h) Pontypridd, (i) Pembrokeshire, (j) Carmarthen, (k) Monmouthshire, (l) the Vale of Glamorgan and (m) Llanelli.

Cheryl Gillan: The Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd West (Mr Jones), and I make regular visits across Wales in both an official and political capacity. The information requested is as follows:
	(a) 6 December 2011;
	(b) 12 December 2011;
	(c) 23 June 2011;
	(d) 26 August 2010;
	(c) 26 August 2010;
	(f) 18 November 2010;
	(g) None;
	(h) 12 July 2010;
	(i) 1 July 2011;
	(j) 28 February 2011;
	(k) 18 August 2010;
	(1) 18 August 2010;
	(m) 9 October 2011.

Domestic Visits

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many official visits she has made to (a) Wales and (b) North Wales since May 2010.

Cheryl Gillan: I have made over 100 visits to a wide range of destinations in Wales since being appointed Secretary of State for Wales.

Domestic Visits: Higher Education

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times she has (a) visited and (b) met representatives of (i) the university of Wales, (ii) Cardiff university, (iii) Swansea university, (iv) Bangor university, (v) Aberystwyth university, (vi) Glamorgan University, (vii) the university of Wales, Newport, (viii) Glyndwr university and (ix) Cardiff metropolitan university since May 2010.

Cheryl Gillan: The information requested is shown in the following table which includes visits and meetings undertaken by both myself and the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd West (Mr Jones), who I have asked to take lead responsibility for universities. The Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State and I also met with all Welsh Vice-Chancellors and Higher Education Wales on 11 May 2011.
	
		
			 University Visits Meetings 
			 University of Wales — 18 November 2010 
			    
			 Cardiff University 7 March 2011 4 October 2010 
			  — 16 February 2011 
			  — 30 June 2011 
			    
			 Swansea University 7 June 2010 15 November 2011 
			  — 5 December 2011 
			    
			 Bangor University 24 February 2011 — 
			    
			 Aberystwyth University 4 August 2010 3 February 2011 
			    
			 Glamorgan University — — 
			    
			 University of Wales, Newport 24 February 2011 6 June2011 
			    
			 Glyndwr University 4 May 2011 15 August 2010 
			  — 5 July 2011 
			  — 24 October 2011 
			    
			 Cardiff Metropolitan University 7 March 2011 30/06/2011 
			  8 April 2011 —

Domestic Visits: Schools

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) schools and (b) hospitals she has visited in Wales since May 2010.

Cheryl Gillan: Responsibility for schools and hospitals in Wales is devolved to the Welsh Government.

Employment Agencies

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011.

David Jones: The Wales Office has spent the following amounts on recruitment agencies for agency staff:
	
		
			  £ 
			 September 2011 3,267.74 
			 October 2011 2,829.60 
			 November 2011 1,685.18 
			 December 2011 3,436.50

Social Fund

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  on what dates she last met the First Minister to discuss the ending of the Social Fund;
	(2)  on what dates she last met the First Minister to discuss the future provision of childcare support in Wales;
	(3)  what meetings (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department have had with representatives of the Welsh Government to discuss preparations for severe winter weather; and what steps her Department has taken to co-ordinate its response to severe winter weather with that of the Welsh Government.

Cheryl Gillan: Meetings are frequently held between the Government and the Welsh Government at ministerial and official levels to discuss a number of topics. In line with the practice of successive administrations, information relating to inter-administration discussions is not normally disclosed.

Tourism

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with the First Minister of the Welsh Government on the future of the tourist industry in Wales; and if she will make a statement.

David Jones: The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), has regular meetings with the First Minister to discuss a range of issues affecting Wales.
	Wales continues to be a popular tourist destination with 9.6 million overnight visitors in 2010 bringing nearly £1.8 billion into the Welsh economy and employing almost 190,000 people.
	This year's celebrations for Her Majesty the Queen's diamond jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic games will provide unprecedented levels of international attention on the UK and we are working to ensure that all parts of Great Britain including Wales share the benefits of this.

Welsh Conservative Group

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date she last met the Leader of the Welsh Conservative Group in the National Assembly for Wales in an official capacity.

Cheryl Gillan: I hold regular meetings with the leader of the Conservative Group in the Assembly.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Manpower

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011.

Owen Paterson: On 11 May 2010, there were 177 people working in the Northern Ireland Office. On December 2011 the figure was 170.

Departmental Recruitment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011.

Owen Paterson: During this period, my Department spent the following amounts on recruitment agencies:
	
		
			 2011 £ 
			 September 2,724.67 
			 October 5,329.27 
			 November 5,469.88

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

Owen Paterson: There were no redundancy payments made to civil servants in my Department during this period.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many temporary staff were recruited to his Department between September and November 2011.

Owen Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office recruited one temporary member of staff during this period.

Japan Tobacco International: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

Owen Paterson: Information about hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers is published quarterly by Departments. Information for the period 13 May 2010 to 30 June 2011 can be accessed on departmental websites. Information for 1 July onwards will be published in due course.

SCOTLAND

Banks: Regulation

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential effect on the Scottish economy of the Government's proposals for banking regulation.

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), meets regularly with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), to discuss a wide range of issues of relevance to the Scottish economy, including the implications of the Government's proposed reforms to the system of banking regulation in the UK.
	The Government's own economic analysis has found that the proposed reforms will deliver significant net benefits to the UK economy and taxpayer. In taking forward implementation of the proposed reforms, the Government will continue to engage with banks, industry representatives and other interested groups.

Banks: Regulation

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the likely effect of proposed legislation on banking on levels of employment in the financial sector in Scotland.

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), and I both agree with the Government's assessment that the proposed reforms will deliver significant net benefits to UK financial stability, and improve competition in the banking sector. We expect this to support employment in Scotland's financial sector in the longer term.

Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not used the services of any debt recovery company since May 2010.

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what equality impact assessments his Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

David Mundell: No equality impact assessments have been undertaken since May 2010.

Departmental Manpower

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011.

David Mundell: On 11 May 2010 there were 59 people working in the Scotland Office, and on 8 December 2011 there were 59 people working in the Scotland Office.

Departmental Recruitment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office spend on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011 was as follows:
	
		
			  Cost (£) 
			 September 0 
			 October 0 
			 November 816.27

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly. All of its staff are on secondment from other public bodies, mainly the Ministry of Justice and the Scottish Government. Redundancy issues are a matter for these parent bodies.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many temporary staff were recruited to his Department between September and November 2011.

David Mundell: Two temporary members of staff were appointed between September and November 2011 to cover vacancies while substantive recruitment was completed.

Devolution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent devolution issues the Advocate General has considered; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: The hon. Member asked a similar question on 26 October 2010, Official Report, column 175W.
	Since 26 October 2010, the Advocate-General for Scotland has received a total of 1,443 minutes notifying him of devolution issues of which 39 relate to civil matters.

Employment Schemes: Young People

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with (a) the Scottish Government, (b) Scottish colleges, (c) the Scottish Trades Union Congress, (d) the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, (e) the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland and (f) CBI Scotland on the operation in Scotland of the proposed Youth Contract.

David Mundell: Prior to the launch of the Youth Contract representatives from the Scottish Government, Scottish colleges, the Scottish Trades Union Congress, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland and CBI Scotland have participated in the series of youth unemployment seminars which the Secretary of State for Scotland, the right hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), is hosting in areas of Scotland where this problem is prevalent.
	The Department for Work and Pensions is in contact with the Scottish Government concerning areas of shared interest in the operation of the Youth Contract in Scotland.

Japan Tobacco International: Ministerial Policy Advisers

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

David Mundell: Information about hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers is published quarterly by Departments. Information for the period 13 May 2010 to 30 June 2011 can be accessed on departmental websites. Information for 1 July onwards will be published in due course.

Judicial Review

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reason his Department did not apply for costs against Derek Traynor and James Fisher following their unsuccessful application for judicial review.

David Mundell: Following the court's dismissal of the petitions for judicial review, the prisoners lodged appeals. The appeals were then sisted to allow the prisoners to apply for further legal aid.
	Where an appeal is lodged it is usual practice to delay seeking expenses from the first instance proceedings until the outcome of the appeal is known.
	In these cases, the appeals are still sisted, but remain extant.

Railways

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had discussions with the First Minister for Scotland on the future of cross-border rail services.

David Mundell: There is regular discussion on cross-border rail services with the Scottish Government at ministerial and official level. I most recently discussed High Speed Rail with the Scottish Transport Minister in November 2011.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Cyber Crime: Business

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the current system for prosecuting cyber crime against businesses.

Dominic Grieve: There is not a specific offence of cyber crime and a number of offences may involve the use of a computer or a network in the commission of or as a target of crime. The Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office have prosecutors with the skills and knowledge to conduct effective prosecutions for crimes involving information technology when required.

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General what equality impact assessments the Law Officers' Departments have carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

Dominic Grieve: HMCPSI carried out an Equality Impact Assessment in January 2011 in relation to changes to HMCPSI's management structure.
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSol), has conducted the following Equality Impact Assessments since May 2010:
	Government Legal Service—Qualified Lawyer Recruitment
	The purpose was to assess proposed changes to recruitment selection arrangements.
	Government Legal Service—Legal Trainee
	The purpose was to review the use of the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
	Flexible Working
	The purpose was to consider a proposal to restrict some flexible working arrangements to staff below grade 7.
	Central guidance on Additional Paternity Leave
	The purpose was to consider any TSol-specific elements of an Equality Impact Assessment produced by Civil Service Employee Policy.
	Central guidance on Major Travel Disruption
	The purpose was to consider any TSol-specific elements of an Equality Impact Assessment produced by Civil Service Employee Policy.
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not have a centrally held list of completed equality impact assessments and could not provide this information without incurring a disproportionate cost.
	The Attorney-General's Office and the Serious Fraud Office have not undertaken any equality impact assessments since May 2010.

E-mail

Jon Trickett: To ask the Attorney-General what guidance the Law Officers' Departments provide to Ministers and officials on the use of personal email accounts to conduct official business.

Dominic Grieve: The Ministerial Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Code set out how Ministers, officials and special advisers should conduct Government business.

Japan Tobacco

Peter Hain: To ask the Attorney-General whether any Ministers in the Law Officers' Departments have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

Edward Garnier: My wife and I were among a number of Conservative and Labour MPs invited to the Chelsea Flower Show on 24 May 2011 by Japan Tobacco International. This engagement was not undertaken in a ministerial capacity and was recorded on the Register of Members' Interests on 31 May 2011.

HEALTH

NHS Reorganisation Cost

Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of NHS reorganisation in (a) Bolton West constituency and (b) England.

Simon Burns: The cost of the national health service modernisation is estimated to be between £1.2 billion and £1.3 billion. This will save £4.5 billion over this Parliament, and £1.5 billion per year thereafter. We do not have a local breakdown of these figures, as this will depend on local decisions.

Early Access Scheme

Mel Stride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the effect of the early access scheme on cancer patients for whom there are no alternative treatments.

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the effect of the early access scheme on cancer patients for whom there are no alternative treatments.

Andrew Lansley: There is significant interest in early access to medicines generally arid, in line with the commitment in the Life Sciences Strategy launched on 5 December 2011, we will shortly bring forward proposals for consultation on such a scheme. We look forward to hearing the views of all interested parties.

Maternity Provision: Outer North East London

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of maternity provision in outer north-east London.

Anne Milton: NHS London is working closely with cluster and acute trusts to manage maternity services following the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) investigation and recommendations. The CQC continues to monitor progress. The Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), has asked NHS London with the local national health service, to provide him with further reports in due course on delivering improvements to quality of care.

Whistleblowing

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage whistleblowing in the NHS.

Paul Burstow: We expect all national health service contracts of employment to include a right to raise concerns. The amended NHS Constitution will enhance existing legal rights and pledge employers support to whistleblowers. Where NHS and social care staff, or employers, need whistleblowing advice we are supporting them through a Government funded free-phone whistleblowing helpline.

Access to Drugs

Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure drugs approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are made available to all patients in the NHS.

John Howell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure drugs approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are made available to all patients in the NHS.

Andrew Lansley: The national health service is required to fund drugs and technologies recommended in National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals, in line with the NHS Constitution.
	The NHS chief executive's report, “Innovation, Health and Wealth” sets out plans to ensure rapid and consistent implementation of NICE technology appraisal recommendations throughout the NHS.

Excess Winter Deaths

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure the NHS has a strategy to prevent excess winter deaths.

Anne Milton: In November we published the first ever Cold Weather Plan for England.
	The Cold Weather Plan sets out a series of clear actions to minimise the health impact of severe winter weather, to be taken by the national health service, social care and other public agencies and advice for people who interact with those most at risk from cold weather. It is supported by the Warm Homes Healthy People Fund of £30 million to reduce death and morbidity due to cold housing this winter.

Patient Data

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reach agreement with the NHS on the governance arrangements for use of patient data for research purposes in all constituent parts of the UK.

Simon Burns: The Government's plans and timetable for establishment of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink were published in October 2011. Arrangements for collaboration between the home countries are planned to commence in August 2012 and be concluded as soon as practicable.

A and E Departments

Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospitals do not have a type one (major) accident and emergency department; and which NHS hospitals have (a) gained and (b) lost such a department since 1997.

Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally.
	The most relevant data relates to the number of type 1 departments per national health service trust, and is only available from quarter 2 of 2003-04.
	A copy of the earliest and most recently available data have been placed in the Library.

Alcoholic Drinks: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the pricing of alcohol and its effect on health.

Anne Milton: Health Ministers have not discussed the pricing of alcohol with their Scottish Government counterparts since May 2010. There are regular contacts between officials on all current policy issues.
	The Home Office has lead responsibility within the United Kingdom Government for alcohol pricing issues. The Home Office published the Government's review of alcohol pricing in January 2011.

Brain Cancer

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on funding for brain cancer research in each year since 2006.

Paul Burstow: Expenditure by the Department on brain cancer research through research programmes, research centres and units, and research training awards is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2006-07 0.1 
			 2007-08 0.1 
			 2008-09 0.1 
			 2009-10 0.3 
			 2010-11 0.9 
		
	
	In addition, the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (CRN) is currently hosting 17 trials and other well-designed studies in cancers of the brain and nervous system that are in set-up or recruiting patients. Details can be found on the United Kingdom CRN portfolio database at:
	http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search
	Data for spend on brain cancer research through the CRN cannot be disaggregated from total CRN expenditure.

Care Quality Commission: Recruitment

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons external applicants are unable to apply for jobs with the Care Quality Commission.

Simon Burns: External applicants are able to apply for jobs with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) subject to the Government's efficiency controls. The CQC, like other public sector organisations, is subject to the recruitment freeze on external recruitment announced by the Government on 25 May 2010. External recruitment is only permissible by exception where a post is frontline or business critical and has not been filled from the “internal recruitment pool” comprising the Department's arm's length bodies, the Department, strategic health authorities and primary care trusts.

Carers: Finance

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he has allocated to investment in carers services within the baseline allocations for primary care trusts in 2012-13; and how much he plans to allocate in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15.

Simon Burns: Primary care trust (PCT) allocations for 2012-13 were announced on 14 December. These allocations provide PCTs with £91.6 billion to spend on the local front-line services that matter most, an increase of £2.5 billion, or 2.8%. This means that despite the financial situation, we have ensured that all PCTs receive a reasonable uplift.
	The spending review made available funding of £400 million between 2011 and 2015, to support the provision of breaks for carers, reflecting a priority of the Coalition Agreement. The funding is currently included in PCT allocations, and we recommend that PCTs pool budgets with local authorities to provide carers’ breaks, with spending plans made available to local carers’ organisations. However, individual PCT revenue allocations are not broken down by service or policy area. It is for PCTs to commission services to meet the health care needs of their local populations, taking account of local and national priorities.
	This will be the last round of allocations made to PCTs, as subject to the passing of the Health and Social Care Bill, the NHS Commissioning Board would take over responsibility for the allocation of resources from the Department for 2013-14 onwards. Also from 2013-14, the Department will allocate a ring-fenced public health grant to local authorities.

Computer Sciences Corporation

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts his Department has awarded to the Computer Sciences Corporation since May 2010; and what the (a) purpose, (b) monetary value and (c) net worth was of each contract.

Simon Burns: The Department has not awarded any contracts to the Computer Sciences Corporation since May 2010.

Computer Sciences Corporation

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services the Computer Sciences Corporation (a) provides to the NHS and (b) will provide to the NHS up to the end of 2013.

Simon Burns: Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) is the local service provider for the delivery of the North Midlands and East of England programme for Information Technology. The scope of the contract is to implement a patient centric electronic patient record (NHS Care Records Service) in national health service trusts across the region. In providing this, CSC is offering a number of strategic and interim solutions along with key services that include the planning, design, development, testing, implementation and ongoing support for the duration of the contract. The Department and Cabinet Office are however currently in discussions with CSC over the contract and its associated costs. These discussions have not yet concluded.

Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: Since May 2010, the Department has used the debt recovery services of CCI Legal Ltd on two occasions, via NHS Shared Business Services.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many apprentices were employed by each public body for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships he expects each public body to sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April 2012 and March 2013.

Simon Burns: Numbers of apprentices employed, or expected to be employed, by departmental arm's length bodies (ALBs) are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 ALB Number of apprentices employed between April 2010 and March 2011 Number of apprentices employed between April and December 2011 Number of apprenticeships expected to be sponsored between January and March 2012 Number of apprenticeships expected to be sponsored between April and March 2013 
			 Health Protection Agency 2 2 2 2 
			 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 1 0 0 0 
			 NHS Blood and Transplant 114 61 20 120 
		
	
	The Care Quality Commission workforce plans include looking into the possible introduction of modern apprenticeship and graduate training schemes. The Health and Social Care Information Centre are examining how they might integrate them into their planning towards the end of 2012.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

Simon Burns: The Department has paid a total of £524,929 to civil servants as redundancy payments between September and November 2011. We are unable to break this down into individual months without the risk of identifying individuals.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many temporary staff were recruited to his Department between September and November 2011.

Simon Burns: Between 1 September and 30 November 2011 there were 17.3 full-time equivalent temporary civil servants recruited to the Department and 97.9 full-time equivalent temporary workers (agency staff and contractors) were engaged from external suppliers. This information is contained in the following table.
	
		
			 Temporary staff recruited into the Department of Health 1 September to 30 November2011 
			 Status Total number 
			 Temporary civil servants 17.3 
			 Temporary workers (agency staff and contractors) 97.9 
			 Total 115.2

Disability: Children

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many statemented deafblind or multi-sensory impaired children have been provided with intervention support in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah Teather: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Health.
	The school census collects information on pupils with different types of special educational need. It includes a category for “multi-sensory impairment”, but not a separate category for “deafblind”.
	In January 2011, the school census showed that there were 510 pupils with multi-sensory impairment as their primary type of need who were receiving support through a statement of special educational needs.
	Information on the specific type of support provided, including intervenor support is not held centrally.

Doctors: Retirement

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average retirement age was of (a) a hospital consultant and (b) a GP in the latest period for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: Data from the Government Actuaries Department on the average retirement age of general practitioners is calculated at 62 (covering the period 2004 to 2008).
	Data for hospital consultants are not available separately.

Drugs: Licensing

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in respect of applications to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency for a licence for the importation of medicines from other EU member states to the UK, what the average interval was between the application and the granting of a licence in each of the last 12 months.

Simon Burns: The gross time in months for approval of parallel import licence applications is shown in the following table. Gross time includes waiting time for information from other member states and from the applicants responding to questions from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency:
	
		
			 Month of approval Median time for approval (months) 
			 2010  
			 December 6.4 
			   
			 2011  
			 January 8.0 
			 February 6.5 
			 March 6.7 
			 April 9.0 
			 May 9.4 
			 June 9.3 
			 July 8.1 
			 August 8.3 
			 September 9.0 
			 October 5.7 
			 November 5.6

Drugs: Licensing

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medicines subject to licensing by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency are medicines of which there is currently a shortage in the UK market.

Simon Burns: Medicines shortages can occur at short notice, for a number of reasons, including manufacturing or regulatory problems. At any one time the Department of Health may be aware of a number of shortages, and we do not hold a list of such drugs as any such list, if compiled, might not be accurate or complete.
	The Department also receives reports of medicines subject to supply problems that may be attributed to parallel exports. A list of products where there are known problems with supply is published on the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee's website at:
	www.psnc.org.uk/pages/problem_medicines_list.html

Dystonia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the funding policies are for each of the 10 specialised commissioning groups in relation to deep brain stimulation for severe dystonia;
	(2)  what account specialised commissioning groups take of (a) clinical severity and (b) costs and benefits when deciding whether to fund treatments.

Simon Burns: This is primarily a matter for the local national health service.
	Specialised Commissioning Groups (SCGs) are accountable to their primary care trusts (PCTs) on all matters of governance including their financial concerns. SCGs will consider the cost and clinical effectiveness, the potential health gain and the opportunity costs and benefits of any proposal. As. joint committees of PCTs they will need to keep in mind the duty not to exceed spending limits.

Electro-convulsive Therapy

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number of times that electro-convulsive therapy has been administered in NHS facilities in each of the last three years.

Paul Burstow: The information requested is presented in the following table:
	
		
			  Total procedures/interventions 
			 2008-09 7,026 
			 2009-10 7,954 
			 2010-11 6,787 
			 Source: The NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care 
		
	
	This information is from the national health service (NHS) Information Centre's HESonline website, which includes activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector.
	Further breakdowns of the data on electro-convulsive therapy procedures and interventions by age and gender are available at:
	www.hesonline.nhs.uk/Ease/servlet/ContentServer?siteID=1937&categoryID=210

General Practitioners

Phillip Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost to the public purse of a GP consultation has been since 1997 in (a) walk-in centres and (b) all other GP practices.

Simon Burns: No central data are held on the average cost of a consultation at a national health service walk-in centre.
	Figures relating to average consultation costs in general practice are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 General practitioner (GP) average surgery consultation costs 
			  Former GP contract to 2003-04 New GP contract from April 2004 
			  1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 
			 Qresearch estimated volume of consultations (Million) 220.7 219.9 218.9 225.3 239.0 246.2 259.4 264.9 283.2 291.5 291.9 303.9 
		
	
	
		
			 GP contract total spend net of dispensing (£ billion) 3,033 3,158 3,420 3,623 3,734 4,060 4,623 6,103 6,851 6,943 7,051 7,145 
			 Average cost per consultation (£) 13.74 14.36 15.62 16.08 15.62 16.49 17.82 23.04 24.19 23.82 24.16 23.51 
			 Sources: Former GP contract 1997-98 to 2003-04 spend taken from the 2005 departmental report, Chapter 7 Activity, Performance and Efficiency—table figure 7.3 Key Statistics on General and Personal Medical Services (GPMS) England discretionary and non-discretionary final audited spend 2004-05 to 2008-09 new GP contract spend taken from final audited FIMS(FHS)4 nGMS contract spend as reported by all primary care trusts in England net of dispensing doctor spend. All consultation figures are taken from Qresearch-Trends in Consultation Rates in General practice 1995 to 2009—table 12 by financial year.

Health Services: North East

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential effect on recruitment and retention of NHS staff in the North East region of the Government's forthcoming review of regional pay in the public sector; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), asked pay review bodies to look at local job markets, the difference between public and private sector salaries, how this is implemented on a geographic basis and the need to ensure that public sector organisations are able to recruit, retain and motivate the right numbers of staff with the right skills to deliver and help improve public services.
	It would be premature to make any statement prior to the NHS Pay Review Body (NHS PRB) and Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB), making their own recommendations to Government in July 2012.
	The Department will, as part of its evidence to the NHS PRB and SSRB, consider carefully the impact of recruitment and retention of market facing pay right across England.

Health Visitors: North West

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) target and (b) actual number of health visitor training commissions in the North West Strategic Health Authority was in 2011-12; what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the North West Strategic Health Authority meets its target for health visitor training commissions by 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Anne Milton: The Health Visitor Implementation Plan, published in February 2011, set out action to expand and strengthen health visiting services. The plan includes a commitment to employ an extra 4,200 health visitors (against a May 2010 baseline of 8,092). Also in February, the Department wrote to strategic health authorities setting out indicative growth trajectories for 2011-12 training commissions. The indicative number of commissions for the north-west region in 2011-12 is 206.
	Both a copy of the plan and letter have been placed in the Library.
	Information on the actual number of health visitor training commissions in 2011-12 can be obtained from NHS North of England.

Herbal Medicine

Simon Reevell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of herbal medicinal products on sale in the UK which exceed the daily dose approved for traditional herbal medicinal products; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has taken in respect of black cohosh products that exceed the daily dose approved for traditional herbal medicinal products in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The classification of products as medicines is made on a case-by-case basis by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Companies are not required to notify the MHRA that they are placing a product on the market or to have it pre-vetted, so the MHRA does not hold information on how many herbal products are on the market at higher strengths than registered herbal medicines. The MHRA has taken regulatory action against one black cohosh product and the status of a further 15 products is currently under investigation. Any which are in breach of legislation will be subject to regulatory action. The MHRA is currently considering how effective, proportionate enforcement action can best ensure that the intended benefits of the legislation for consumers and for companies compliant with the legislation are achieved.

Injuries: Dogs

Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were admitted to hospital as a result of being bitten by a dog in England and Wales in each of the last three years.

Simon Burns: The following table shows a count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)(1) with a cause code(2) of bitten or struck by dog for the years 2008-09 to 2010-11 in England only. Data for Wales is not held as this is the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly.
	
		
			 Activity in English national health service hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector 
			 England Number 
			 2008-09 5,221 
			 2009-10 5,837 
		
	
	
		
			 2010-11 6,005 
			 (1) Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. (2) Cause code A supplementary code that indicates the nature of any external cause of injury, poisoning or other adverse effects. Only the first external cause code which is coded within the episode is counted in Hospital Episode Statistics (HES). Cause code used: W54: Bitten or struck by dog. Notes: 1. Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. 2. Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care.

Japan Tobacco

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

Anne Milton: No Minister or special adviser has received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.
	Details of all hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers are published, quarterly in arrears on the Department's website. Data from 1 January 2010 up to the end of June 2011 can be found at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Aboutus/MinistersandDepartment Leaders/Departmentdirectors/DH_110759

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency: Redundancy

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many redundancies have been announced in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in each of the last 12 months; and how many people have been made redundant;
	(2)  whether his Department imposes a limit on the number of staff employed at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Simon Burns: There are no limits placed on the amount of staff employed at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
	The MHRA has made a number of staff redundant during the period 1 December 2010 to 30 November 2011, all as a result of the requirements of the Government efficiency programme. During this period a total of 27 staff were given notice of redundancy and 16 of those have left as a result of redundancy. The remaining 11 members of staff are due to leave between 1 December 2011 and mid 2012. These are listed as follows:
	
		
			  Date of leaving 
			 December 2010 0 
			 January 2011 0 
			 February 2011 0 
			 March 2011 0 
			 April 2011 0 
			 May 2011 0 
			 June 2011 0 
			 July 2011 1 
			 August 2011 4 
			 September 2011 3 
			 October 2011 7 
			 November 2011 1 
			 Total 16 
			   
			 December 2011 7 
			 January 2012 1 
			 February 2012 0 
			 March 2012 0 
			 April 2012 2 
			 May 2012 0 
			 June 2012 0 
			 July 2012 1 
			 Total 11

Mental Health Services

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people in each age group under 25 years of age who have received mental health treatment in the last 10 years.

Paul Burstow: The majority of mental health treatment is given in primary care settings, for example, treatment for depression. This information is not routinely collected from primary care settings.
	Accordingly, only information on treatment in secondary care can be provided. The Mental Health Minimum Dataset (MHMDS) covers secondary mental health services for adults arid a small group of patients under 16-years-old who have accessed adult services.
	The following tables, from the “Mental Health Bulletin MHMDS annual returns, 2011”, present the number of adults using national health service funded secondary mental health services by treatment, gender, and age for each of the years for which figures are available:
	
		
			 Number of people using adult NHS funded secondary mental health services by gender and five year age band, 2010-11 
			  Admitted Non-admitted No care (1) Total 
			 Total number of people 106,719 1,094,138 86,873 1,287,730 
			      
			 Male 56,058 479,606 37,269 572,933 
			 Under 15 10 2,499 222 2,731 
		
	
	
		
			 15 to 19 1,751 20,283 2,414 24,448 
			 20 to 24 4,863 33,749 3,589 42,201 
			      
			 Female 50,625 614,159 49,542 714,326 
			 Under 15 19 1,787 179 1,985 
		
	
	
		
			 15 to 19 1,651 27,287 3,336 32,274 
			 20 to 24 3,169 41,000 5,018 49,187 
			 (1) ‘No care’ refers to an open spell of care but there was no evidence of contact with services. This may include inappropriate referrals, people who did not attend for appointments and people whose treatment is yet to start. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre MHMDS) 2010-11 annual returns 
		
	
	
		
			 Number of people using mental health services by gender and age, 2006-07 to 2010-11 
			  2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Total 1,151,260 1,190,542 1,222,365 1,270,731 1,285,594 
			       
			 Male 517,373 528,372 542,835 562,669 571,567 
			 Under 16 16,801 12,579 7,644 4,331 3,697 
			 16 to 17 7,730 7,684 8,604 7,856 8,038 
			 18 to 35 152,222 152,584 156,395 159,578 159,887 
			       
			 Female 631,378 659,245 677,102 706,381 713,571 
			 Under 16 11,517 9,129 6,010 3,772 3,452 
			 16 to 17 9,718 10,597 11,745 10,979 11,380 
			 18 to 35 160,465 166,100 170,394 177,395 177,483 
			 Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre MHMDS 2006-07 to 2010-11 annual returns

Muscular Dystrophy

Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to (a) provide integrated care processes and (b) establish managed clinical networks for neuromuscular conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Burstow: During 2010-11, the 10 regional specialised commissioning groups (SCGs) and the national specialised commissioning team (NSCT) collaborated to produce a detailed work plan for neuromuscular services.
	This neuromuscular workstream is led by East of England SCG, working with the individual SCG/NSCT neuromuscular leads. In July, a more formal group was established and the existing work plan was enlarged to include communications and engagement.
	A workshop to which patients, carers and support organisations were invited was held in December 2011. At this workshop the SCGs presented draft service specifications for neuromuscular services and for wheelchair services. These service specifications, which set out the standards of service that all neuromuscular patients in England should expect to receive, will be consulted on and then finalised by April 2012, when the SCGs will start to implement them.
	At this workshop it was also announced that a national lead for specialist neuromuscular care would be appointed.

Neurology

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the report by the National Audit Office on Services for people with neurological conditions, HC 1586, what steps he plans to take to ensure that people with neurological conditions are supported in the community and avoid unnecessary hospital stays.

Paul Burstow: We welcome the National Audit Office report on services for people with neurological conditions. The report is now being studied carefully and the Government note the report's recommendations. We will respond to the report at the Public Accounts Committee hearing on 18 January 2012.

Neurology

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines in the convergence of commissioning policies for specialised neurosurgery across England.

Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has published a number of clinical guidelines which have impacted on the delivery of specialised neurosurgery including those for head injury, epilepsy, back pain, metastatic spinal cord compression, Parkinson's Disease, stroke and the Improving Outcomes Guidance for Central Nervous System tumours. Each of these include standards of care which will be included in a national commissioning specification for specialised neurosurgery from April 2013. The performance against these standards will be assessed using service specific quality measures.

NHS

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the performance of early implementer (a) health and wellbeing boards and (b) local healthwatch organisations in encouraging (i) children and young people and (ii) people with mental health problems to contribute to shaping local NHS services.

Paul Burstow: Health and wellbeing boards will increase the influence of local people in shaping services, so that local services can better meet local needs. They will have a duty to involve local people in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and joint health and wellbeing strategy.
	HealthWatch organisations must be inclusive and fully representative of all those in the communities they serve, including the interests of children and young people and those with mental health problems.
	It is for health and wellbeing boards and HealthWatch organisations to establish their own local arrangements to meet these expectations and to engage effectively with local people. We are working with early implementer health and wellbeing boards through a National Learning Network, and with HealthWatch pathfinders, to support them as they establish how best to do this.

NHS: Drugs

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure drugs approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are made available to all patients in the NHS.

Andrew Lansley: The national health service is required to fund drugs and technologies recommended in National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals, in line with the NHS Constitution.
	The NHS chief executive's report, “Innovation, Health and Wealth” sets out plans to ensure rapid and consistent implementation of NICE technology appraisal recommendations throughout the NHS.

NHS: ICT

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure that NHS trusts procure third generation Picture Archiving and Communications Systems;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost of the (a) second and (b) third generation Picture Archiving and Communications Systems.

Simon Burns: Re-procurement of Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS), Radiology Information System (RIS) and imaging archives for when the original Local Service Provider (LSP) contracts expire are the responsibility of the local national health service trusts, in line with the Government's localisation agenda. The Department is providing support to trusts as they enter this process including provision of a set of NHS defined core requirements that trusts can use to develop their own locally tailored requirements. These requirements combine the best features of the current systems with innovative options that were not available when the LSP contracts were originally let, and will enable trusts to procure more innovative and updated technology according to local needs.
	The re-procurement decisions for PACS, RIS and image archives are made by the local NHS trusts so a national estimate of costs has not been made.

NHS: Pensions

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid in pension payments from the NHS pension scheme in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11.

Simon Burns: The following figures are pension payments made to pensioners, widows and dependants.
	
		
			  £ billion 
			 2008-09 4.173 
			 2009-10 4.567 
			 2010-11 4.852 
		
	
	The data has been provided by the NHS Pensions Agency and the totals do not include lump sum payments.

NHS: Pensions

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid in contributions to the NHS Pension Scheme by NHS (a) employees and (b) employers in 2008-09.

Simon Burns: Contributions made to the NHS pension scheme in 2008-09 by employees were £2.547 billion and employer contributions were £5,007 billion.
	This data was provided by the NHS Pensions Agency.

NHS: Redundancy Pay

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of redundancy payments to NHS staff was in 2011.

Simon Burns: The information is not collected in the format requested. Information from the Audited NHS (England) Summarised Accounts for the financial year 2010-11 shows that the total resource cost of staff exit packages for strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and national health service trusts in the 2010-11 financial year was £219.6 million. This figure includes £87.7 million for compulsory redundancies and £131.9 million for other departures. The figure for other departures includes early retirements (excluding those because of ill-health). It is not possible to separately identify this cost, or the cost of voluntary redundancies from the data collected.
	The disclosure in the accounts reports the number and value of exit packages taken by staff leaving in the year. The expense associated with these departures may have been recognised in part or in full in a previous period.
	The Department does not collect data from NHS foundation trusts. Where an NHS trust obtains foundation trust status part way through any year, the data provided is only for the part of the year the organisation operated as an NHS trust.

Out of Area Treatment: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients ordinarily resident in Scotland have had elective surgery in hospitals in England in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Number of finished admission episodes where the patient is resident in Scotland and treated by the national health service (in England) for elective surgery, 2006-07 to 2010-11 
			 Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS  commissioned activity in  the independent sector 
			 Current strategic health authority of residence 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 
			 Scotland 3,580 3,102 2,927 2,750 2,717 
			 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care

Pain: Clinics

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2008, what steps he is taking to increase the availability of specialist pain clinics in the NHS.

Paul Burstow: We are putting front-line clinicians in charge of the commissioning of the services needed for their local populations, including specialist pain management services. Clinical guidance to support commissioners is already available from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and from professional organisations, and a series of clinical pathways for pain management is being developed by the British Pain Society. We have also asked NICE, subject to further scoping work, to develop one or more Quality Standards for pain management which will set out the standards of care to which all national health service organisations should aspire. The recently published Atlas of Variation, drawing on information from the National Pain Audit, will give commissioners an indication of where pain management services may in particular need to be improved.

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2011, Official Report, column 312W, on radiotherapy, what steps he plans to take to ensure that primary care trusts can only use funding to expand radiotherapy capacity in 2012-13 for that purpose;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 2 November 2011, Official Report, column 637W, on radiotherapy, if the recommendations made in the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group report, Radiotherapy: developing a world-class service for England, are the benchmark for providing patients with appropriate access to radiotherapy treatment;
	(3)  if he will impose penalties on commissioners who do not develop plans which ensure that local populations have appropriate access to radiotherapy treatment.

Paul Burstow: Additional funding for the expansion of radiotherapy capacity, as well as existing funding for radiotherapy, is included in overall primary care trust (PCT) baseline allocations which amount to around £85 billion nationally.
	The Secretary of State for Health, the right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), does not mandate how much PCTs are to spend on particular services within these overall allocations. PCTs have local discretion to decide how to use their overall allocation to commission services, including radiotherapy services, to meet the health care needs of their local populations. For the future, the national health service will be held to account for the delivery of improved outcomes and, in. order to achieve them, commissioners will need to ensure that patients have access to radiotherapy where appropriate. The recommendations in the report ‘Radiotherapy: developing a world-class service for England’ by the National. Radiotherapy Advisory Group (NRAG), published in May 2007, remain relevant to ensuring that patients have appropriate access to radiotherapy treatment. The recommendations included collecting data nationally so that the public, the NHS and the Department can see radiotherapy activity. The Radiotherapy Dataset (RTDS) is now fully implemented and ‘Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer’, published earlier this year, made the commitment to undertake a detailed analysis of the RTDS to ensure that metrics in the NRAG report remain meaningful and current.
	The National Radiotherapy Implementation Group supported by the National Cancer Action Team has worked with cancer networks and radiotherapy centres to help them plan to meet the capacity and activity recommendations in the NRAG report of 2007.
	The Health and Social Care Bill, subject to parliamentary approval, proposes that commissioning for specialised services at both a regional and national level will be in future directly commissioned by the NHS Commissioning Board (NHSCB), from April 2013. No decisions have yet been taken on which services will be directly commissioned by the NHSCB from April 2013.

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 6 September 2011, Official Report, column 587W, on radiotherapy, what his policy is on penalties for commissioners who do not follow the guidance issued by the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group on providing access to stereotactic radiotherapy body treatment to cancer patients;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2011, Official Report, column 127W, on radiotherapy, if he will publish the evidential basis for his statement that stereotactic body radiotherapy treatment is available to NHS patients in a quarter of all radiotherapy centres in England.

Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not issued any guidance on the use Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (now known as Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy, SABR). Any funding decisions in the absence of NICE guidance should be made by local primary care trusts based on an assessment of the available evidence and taking account of individual circumstances. The National Radiotherapy Implementation Group report provides useful information in the absence of NICE guidance. There are no penalties for commissioners who do not follow this type of guidance.
	The Department does not monitor the availability, of this treatment. However, the National Cancer Action Team (NCAT) undertook an informal survey of radiotherapy centres at the end of 2010. This survey concluded that SABR was available in a quarter of all centres. NCAT estimates that there are 20 or more machines capable of delivering SABR and that for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (mainly for cranial lesions) availability is greater.

Stem Cells

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had on the future use of stem cells.

Anne Milton: The Department keeps developments in stem cell science under routine review in order to assess the potential for improved health care treatments.
	Following a review of current national health service stem cell transplant services the report “Future of Unrelated Donor Stem Cell Transplantation in the UK” was published in December 2010. A copy has already been placed in the Library. £4 million was made available for improving United Kingdom stem cell services in this financial year. Also, in July 2011, we published, with the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, a document entitled “Taking Stock of Regenerative Medicine in the United Kingdom”, which included consideration of future stem cell therapies. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	Discussions have taken place between the Department and others to agree an appropriate response to the recent European Court of Justice ruling on patenting human embryonic stem cells.

Sugar

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had on the merits of introducing a responsibility deal relating to drinks with added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Anne Milton: Ministers have held no discussions on the merits of introducing a responsibility deal relating to drinks with added sugar or artificial sweeteners. However, Ministers have held discussions through the High Level Steering Group of the Public Health Responsibility Deal Food Network on developing a calorie reduction pledge, which could encompass relevant action on such drinks.

Telemedicine: Care Homes

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of likely savings from using telemedicine technologies in care homes.

Paul Burstow: The Department has not made any formal assessment of likely savings that might result from using telemedicine technologies in care homes.
	Initial headline findings from the Whole System Demonstrator programme demonstrate that, in the national health service, appropriate use of telehealth can lead to significant reductions in mortality and hospital admissions, leading to efficiency gains. The Whole System Demonstrator programme was set up by the Department to provide an evaluated evidence base on the benefits of telehealth and telecare.
	We consider that telemedicine also has the potential to offer benefits in care home settings.

Treatment Centres: Runcorn

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to make a decision on the future use of the Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre in Runcorn.

Simon Burns: Decisions regarding the future use of individual independent sector treatment centres are taken by national health service bodies locally in the context of their overall plans for commissioning local services.
	A period of public consultation has recently ended. NHS Halton and St Helens is exploring options for the future utilisation of the building.

Tuberculosis: Drugs

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the implementation of the action plan on multi-drug resistant and extremely drug resistant tuberculosis.

Anne Milton: Although we have had no recent discussions with other European Ministers on the World Health Organization's (WHO) action plan, the European Union's Strategic Action Plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance published in November 2011 reinforces international commitment to implementing WHO'S action plan. The Department is actively working with the EU to take forward the range of recommendations in their Strategic Action Plan.

University College Hospital

William Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the public purse was of (a) building and (b) demolishing the hybrid operating theatre at University College Hospital; what the cost to the public purse was of transferring functions for vascular procedures of the hybrid operating theatre at University College Hospital to the Royal Free Hospital; and what the cost was of employment of consultants as a result of transfer of functions.

Simon Burns: This is a matter for the chair of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We have written to the Foundation Trust Chairman, Richard Murley, informing him of the hon. Member's inquiry. He will reply shortly and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Coal Fired Power Stations: Closures

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which coal-fired power stations will close under the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive; and how many running hours remain for each plant.

Charles Hendry: Decisions on operation and closure of coal-fired power stations under the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive are a commercial matter for generators.
	The following table shows the coal-fired stations that will close under the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive, along with the running hours remaining for each plant, as at the end of October 2011.
	
		
			 Plant Hours remaining (as at end October 2011) 
			 Cockenzie Units 1 and 2 3,801 
			 Cockenzie Units 3 and 4 4,769 
			 Didcot A 9,680 
			 Ferrybridge (1 and 2) 9,416 
			 Ironbridge 11,874 
			 Kingsnorth 5,777 
			 Tilbury (7 and 8) 7,834. 
			 Tilbury (9 and 10) 7,446 
			 Total 60,597

Coal: Concessions

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he has any plans to buy out the national concessionary fuel entitlements of current recipients.

Gregory Barker: At present there are no current plans to change the existing arrangements of the fuel obligations under the National Concessionary Fuel scheme (NCFS).
	The total number of beneficiaries currently in receipt of entitlements under the NCFS is c78,000, of which over 83% receive cash in lieu payments. Under the terms of the scheme, beneficiaries can move from solid fuel to cash entitlements at any time.

Coal: Concessions

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects the national concessionary fuel allowance scheme to end.

Gregory Barker: Based on the latest actuarial modelling, the National Concessionary Fuel Scheme will exist for up to further 50 years, i.e. until around 2065.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many apprentices were employed by each public body for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships he expects each public body to sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April 2012 and March 2013.

Gregory Barker: April 2010 to March 2011 DECC had 14 staff undertaking an apprenticeship programme. DECC's non-departmental bodies have had none.
	Between April and December 2011 we have had one new apprenticeship start (with the above continuing). DECC's non-departmental bodies have had none.
	All future apprenticeships will be based on suitable vacancies arising within the Department. DECC's non-departmental bodies have none currently planned.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to sponsor apprenticeships in each of the public bodies for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011, (b) April 2011 and March 2012 and (c) April 2012 and March 2013.

Gregory Barker: DECC is responsible for four executive non-departmental public bodies:
	The Civil Nuclear Police Authority
	The Coal Authority
	The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
	The Committee on Climate Change
	Training in those organisations, including any apprenticeships, is a matter for their management. In each of these NDPBs their remit, very small size or highly specialist nature make it unlikely that they would be suitable for apprenticeships and none of these bodies has therefore allocated specific funding to sponsor internal apprenticeships. Indirectly the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority funds apprenticeship schemes (as it does other staff costs) run by the privately owned site licence companies, which run and decommission the 19 civil public nuclear legacy sites on behalf of the NDA under contract.

Departmental Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: DECC has not used services of any debt recovery company since May 2010.

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what equality impact assessments his Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

Gregory Barker: The Department has carried out 10 full equality impact assessments since May 2010. During that time, the Department has also carried out 21 initial screenings exercises assessing the impact of equality on its policies and procedures.
	A full list of those decisions can be found in the table as follows
	
		
			 Title and link to URL Date 
			 GB-wide smart meter roll out for the domestic sector 27 July 2010 
			 Consultation  
		
	
	
		
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/smart-meter-imp-prospectus/1485-impact-assessment-smart-metering-implementation-p.pdf  
			   
			   
			 Warm Home Discount Scheme (previously Social Price Support) 2 December 2010 
			 Consultation  
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/warm-home-discount/957-ia-warm-home-discount-scheme.pdf  
			   
			 Amendments to the Eligibility Criteria for Warm Front 15 December 2010 
			 Consultation  
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/warm-front-eligibility/1030-ia-warm-front-eligibility.pdf  
			   
			 EU Third Package: Articles concerning provision of consumer information 14 January 2011 
			 Final  
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/Media/viewfile.ashx?FilePath=Consultations/eu-third-package/1160-ia-third-packageconsumer-info.pdf&filetype=4&minwidth=true  
			   
			 EU Third Package: Provision of third-party access to licence exempt electricity and gas networks 14 January 2011 
			 Final  
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/Media/viewfile.ashx?FilePath=Consultations/eu-third-package/1155-ia-third-party-access-licence-exemptions.pdf&filetype=4&minwidth=true  
			   
			   
			 Warm Home Discount Scheme (previously Social Price Support) 28 February 2011 
			 Final  
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/warm-home-discount/1308-warm-home-disc-impact-assessment.pdf  
			   
			 Amendments to the Eligibility Criteria for Warm Front 10 March 2011 
			 Final  
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/warm-front-eligibility/1442-ia-warm-front-eligibility.pdf  
			   
			 Smart meter rollout for the domestic sector (GB) 30 March 2011 
			 Final  
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/smart-meter-imp-prospectus/1485-impact-assessment-smart-metering-implementation-p.pdf  
			   
			 Smart meter rollout for the domestic sector (GB) 18 August 2011 
			 Consultation  
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/smart-metering-imp-prog/2549-smart-meter-rollout-domestic-ia-180811.pdf  
			   
			 Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation 23 November 2011 
			 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/green-deal/3603-green-deal-eco-ia.pdf  
			   
			 Initial Screening Equality Impact Assessment for section 37 electric lines (Electricity Act 1989), necessary wayleaves associated with section 37 retention and development under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 (Electricity Act1989) or for applications for confirmation of compulsory purchase orders relating to land or rights over land under Schedule 3 (Electricity Act 1989) 22 September 2011 
			   
			 Equality Impact Assessment for Climate Change Agreements (CCAs): Initial Screening 21 September 2011 
			   
			 Initial Screening Equality Impact Assessment for section 36 (Electricity Act 1989) biomass fuelled electricity generating stations 8 July 2011 
			   
			 Initial Screening Equality Impact Assessment for a section 36 (Electricity Act 1989) application for a Dry Fuel Storage facility at Sizewell B nuclear power station 30 June 2011 
			   
		
	
	
		
			 Initial Screening Equality Impact Assessment for Vocational Qualifications Policy 30 June 2011 
			   
			 Restructuring process and outcomes (initial screening) 15 August 2011 
			   
			 Disabled lift access at 3WHP staff entrance (initial screening) 11 April 2011 
			   
			 Lighting replacement in communal areas at 3WHP. (initial screening) 11 April 2011 
			   
			 Move to 55 Whitehall (initial screening) moving to a full EqIA 7 July 2011 
			   
			 3 Whitehall Place re-stack (initial screening) 23 September 2011 
			   
			 Assessment for The Annual Pay Strategy (initial screening) 11 August 2011 
			   
			 Proposals on the future of Climate Change Agreements 7 July 2011 
			   
			 Offshore carbon dioxide storage licensing regime 27 August 2010 
			   
			 Energy National Policy Statements 18 October 2010 
			   
			 CERT—The role of appliances and consumer electronics in CERT 16 November 2010 
			   
			 Energy Bill 2010-11: Green Deal Impact Assessment 9 December 2010 
			   
			 Energy Bill 2010-11: Continental Shelf 16 May 2011 
			   
			 Impact Assessment of Fourth Carbon Budget Level 16 May 2011 
			   
			 Energy National Policy Statements 23 June 2011 
			   
			 Extending the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target to December 2012 9 December 2010

Energy

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the total cost of levy-funded energy policies in 2010-11 prices between April 2002 and the latest available date; and what estimate he has made of the VAT paid to the Exchequer from such levies.

Gregory Barker: Levy-funded policies, such as the renewables obligation (RO), feed-in tariffs (FITs), warm home discount (WHD), energy efficiency commitment (EEC), carbon emissions reduction target (CERT) and Community Energy Saving programme (CESP), place various obligations on energy suppliers in order to drive energy efficiency, renewable energy and to provide assistance with energy costs for vulnerable customers. It is expected that energy companies will pass the cost of these obligations onto their various energy customers through their energy bills. To help ensure that policies achieve their objectives cost effectively and affordably the Government introduced a framework to control levy funded spending by DECC at Budget 2011. This framework, covering FITs, RO and WHD forms part of the Government's public spending framework which Treasury has responsibility for.
	The estimated total gross cost (excluding the benefits) of each policy between April 2002 and the latest available data is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Policy Time period considered Estimated gross cost to date, excluding benefits of policies (£ billion, real 2010-11  p rices) 
			 Energy efficiency commitment (EEC) I April 2002-March2005 (1)0.5 
			 Energy efficiency commitment (EEC) II April 2005-March 2008 1.0 
			 Carbon emissions reduction target (CERT) April 2008-March 2011 (2)3.3 
			 Carbon emissions reduction target (CERT) extension(7) April 2011-November 2011 0.7 
			 Community Energy Saving programme (CESP)(7) September 2009-November 2011 (3)0.2 
			 Warm home discount (WHD)(7) April 2011-March 2012 (4)0.24 
			 Feed-in tariffs (FITs)(7) April 2010-September 2011 (5)0.05 
		
	
	
		
			 Renewables obligation (RO)(7) April 2002-March2011 (6)7.3 
			 (1) Calculations of EEC I, EEC II, are based on an evaluation of costs by Eoin Lees Energy. Available at: http://eoinleesenergy.com/ (2) Calculations of CERT and CERT extension are based on impact assessments published by DECC. (3) Calculations of CESP are based on an impact assessment published by DECC. See: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/CESP/1_20090710121840_e_@@_CESPIA.pdf (4) Expected expenditure in year 1. See: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Consultations/warm-home-discount/1307-gov-response-warm-homes-disc-cons.pdf (5) Ofgem feed-in tariff Newsletters: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Environment/fits/Newsletter/Pages/Newsletter.aspx (6) Based on Ofgem total annual obligation level and buyout price. Admin costs included in buyout fund post 2009-10 only. (7 )Policies active. 
		
	
	It should be stressed that the above figures do not account for the direct benefits to energy consumers from these policies and the impact they have in helping to offset costs. For example, the net impact of CERT and EEC I and II is estimated to be a reduction of £61 (in real 2010 prices) on the average household energy (electricity and gas) bill in 2011 (see:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/about-us/economics-social-research/3593-estimated-impacts-of-our-policies-on-energy-prices.pdf
	There are no estimates of the VAT paid to the Exchequer from energy levies.

Energy: Billing

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will ensure that the same opportunities for fuel bill management are provided to those living in rural areas and those living in urban areas.

Charles Hendry: The Government are keen to ensure that all households have access to opportunities to manage their fuel bills. The Check, Switch, Insulate to Save campaign, signed up to by Ofgem and all major energy suppliers, is aimed at helping all consumers save on energy bills this winter, whether rural or urban. In addition, Government programmes which support the installation of household energy efficiency are GB wide and equally relevant and available to rural and urban households.

Energy: Prices

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations he has made to energy companies to ensure that consumers on prepayment meters can benefit from the most economical tariffs.

Charles Hendry: Ofgem is responsible for regulating gas and electricity supply, including the rules that govern switching payment methods. New rules introduced by Ofgem in 2009 to prevent unfair price differentials, such as those between different payment methods, have shown that prepayment meter customers now pay, on average, £20 less than standard credit customers for their gas and electricity.

Energy: Prices

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2011, Official Report, column 803W, on electricity prices, what the monetary value will be of a two to three per cent. increase in the average electricity bill in 2020.

Charles Hendry: DECC previously estimated that the CCS levy would have added 2-3% (£15-17 in 2009 prices) to average household electricity bills in 2020.
	DECC is currently reviewing how CCS projects will be supported in a cost-effective manner as part of the electricity market reform.

Energy: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations he has received from the Welsh Government on the transfer of powers relating to energy generation above 50MW since May 2011.

Charles Hendry: At the British-Irish Council summit on 20 June 2011, the Welsh First Minister, Carwyn Jones, raised the issue of the transfer of consenting powers for generating stations over 50 MW to the Welsh Government.
	The First Minister subsequently wrote to the Prime Minister on 18 July 2011 requesting a formal review of decision making for major infrastructure projects in Wales. The Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan), replied on 2 August 2011 stating that the UK Government had not seen any compelling evidence to support such a change.
	The Secretary of State met the Welsh Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, John Griffiths, on 24 November 2011. The issue of consenting for major energy infrastructure in Wales was discussed during the course of that meeting.

Environment Protection

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on support for combined heat and power units; what assessment he has made of the effect on users of such units of (a) a carbon floor price and (b) the removal of the levy exemption certificate; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The Government recognises the carbon savings that Good Quality combined-heat and power (CHP) delivers and the role gas CHP plays providing highly cost-effective energy efficiency within the industrial sector.
	Budget 2011 announced that from 2013, the new relief from the carbon price floor for CHP will be introduced and the existing relief from climate change levy provided through levy exemption certificates removed.
	A Tax Impact and Information Note on the removal of the exemption was published on 6 December, alongside the draft legislation, and is available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/tiin/tiin700.pdf
	The Government are working with the CHP Association and its members in order to develop a simpler, direct and more cost effective means of support for combined heat and power stations.
	The level of the relief from the carbon price floor for supplies of fossil fuels to Good Quality CHP stations that are intended to be used to generate electricity will be announced at Budget 2012.

EU Emission Trading Scheme

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the EU emission trading scheme in each year since its introduction.

Gregory Barker: We do not keep central records of the UK cost of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to the public purse for each year since its introduction in 2005. Such information could be gathered only at a disproportionate cost. I can however set out my Department's expenditure on this over the financial year 2010-11.
	The EU ETS is largely implemented by the regulators—the Environment Agency in England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and DECC's Offshore Division for the Offshore Oil and Gas industry. All the regulators operate on a cost recovery basis, charging for their services according to published charging schedules. The Environment Agency also runs the UK registry, again on a cost recovery basis.
	In addition DECC gives grant to the Environment Agency to cover set up costs of new activity. In 2010-11 this covered the inclusion of aviation into the EU ETS (from 2012) and for Phase III (2013-20) as well as enforcement activity in England. In 2010-11 this grant amounted to £590,000.
	The Debt Management Office (DMO) runs on behalf of my Department a number of auctions of EU emission allowances according to a published timetable. DECC pays the administration costs of the DMO delivering this service. For auctions in 2010-11 this payment was approximately £240,000.
	In addition DECC staff are involved in the transposition of the 2009 EU ETS directive and development of future emissions trading policy. The devolved Administrations also employ staff working on similar issues. DECC staff costs for those working on EU ETS was approximately £675,000 for the year 2010-11.

Fossil Fuel Levy

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much revenue was held in the fossil fuel levy fund for England and Wales in the last financial year for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the annual income to the fund in each year to 2018.

Charles Hendry: The Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) supported renewable electricity, and operated from 1994 to 2002. It awarded contracts on the basis of a set price for electricity over the period of the contract. Generators bid for renewable contracts, with the lowest bidder winning.
	The money needed to support the NFFO was originally raised by a fossil fuel levy on consumer bills set at 10%. The levy is now set at 0% as the money raised from the auction of electricity from NFFO projects covers the payments to the NFFO generators. It also produces an excess due to the high electricity price and the sale of the ROCs attached. This Fossil Fuel Levy account is managed by Ofgem, and transferred to the consolidated fund held by HMT.
	The following table shows the revenue held in the Ofgem Fossil Fuel Levy Account for 2010-11.
	
		
			 2010-11 England and Wales FFL 
			   Transfer to HMT 
			 Period Balance (£ million) Date £ million 
			 (Q1) June 2010 46 — — 
			 (Q2) September 2010 38 July 2010 22 
			 (Q3)December 20l0 29 December 2010 26 
			 (Q4) March 2011 29 March 2011 26 
		
	
	The NFFO scheme is no longer open to new generators, but existing contracts will continue until the last of them expires in 2019. No estimate has been made of the annual income to the fund in each year to 2018. However, since April 2002 the levy rate has remained at 0% and it is reviewed annually based on accumulated income in the Fossil Fuel Levy account.

Green Deal Scheme

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has to include energy efficient heating circulation pumps on the list of items eligible for funding under the terms of the Green Deal.

Gregory Barker: Energy efficient heating circulation pumps are not currently on the list of proposed qualifying improvements for the Green Deal, which are set out in Annex A to the consultation document. There is an existing process for new technologies to be assessed for inclusion into the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) methodology to then be included in the Green Deal.

Green Deal Scheme

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the Green Deal will require that all payments to sub-contractors be made within 30 days of the completion of work; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: Payment terms will be a matter dealt with in the commercial contracts which will exist between different Green Deal participants. We have however, included a requirement in the Green Deal code of practice that participants must undertake to pay suppliers on time, provide clear guidance, and encourage good practice, in accordance with the Prompt Payment Code.

Natural Gas: Exploration

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency into the effect of hydraulic fracturing on water pollution; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent reports he has received on any link between hydraulic fracturing and water pollution; and whether he plans to investigate any such links.

Charles Hendry: Consideration of issues relating to potential water pollution are a matter for the respective environment agencies in the UK, and assessment of any relevant information is a matter for them.
	Both DECC and the Environment Agency are aware of the recent draft report issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on investigations in the Pavillion area of Wyoming. We note that this report is in draft form and subject to review. Government and their agencies continue to look at reports and analysis emerging from the US in relation to unconventional gas exploration and production and to consider its implications for UK legislation.

Natural Gas: Exploration

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has met representatives of the Environment Agency to discuss the link between hydraulic fracturing and water pollution; and if so, when he last met them.

Charles Hendry: Neither I nor other DECC Ministers have met with representatives of the Environment Agency to discuss issues relating to hydraulic fracturing. However my officials are in involved in a regular dialogue with all of the UK environment agencies, and other key UK regulators, on issues relating to unconventional gas exploration and hydraulic fracturing.

Nuclear Power

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of the domestic energy supply has been provided by nuclear power in each of the last 10 years; and what targets he has set for the proportion of domestic energy provided by nuclear power in each of the next 10 years.

Charles Hendry: Table 1 reports the proportion of UK primary energy supply provided by nuclear power in each of the last 10 years, 2001-10. Table 2 reports the proportion of ‘gross electricity supplied’ provided by nuclear power in each of the last 10 years, 2001-10.
	The Government are responsible for setting the framework for nuclear policy; ultimately it will be the market that determines the proportion of electricity to be provided by nuclear power in the future.
	
		
			 Table 1: Nuclear energy supply as a percentage of UK primary energy supply, 2001-10 
			  UK primary energy supply (ktoe) Nuclear energy supply (ktoe) Nuclear as a percentage of UK primary energy supply 
			 2001 247,586 21,227 8.6 
			 2002 241,149 20,619 8.6 
			 2003 244,152 20,428 8.4 
			 2004 246,062 18,746 7.6 
			 2005 247,558 19,044 7.7 
			 2006 244,460 17,889 7.3 
			 2007 237,236 14,928 6.3 
			 2008 235,041 12,965 5.5 
			 2009 220,160 16,484 7.5 
			 2010 227,710 15,134 6.6 
			 Source: Primary energy supply and nuclear energy (primary electricity) supply data from DUKES (Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics) table 1.1-1.3, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/total/total.aspx 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2: Nuclear electricity supplied as a percentage of total electricity supplied, 2001-10 
			  Total electricity supply (GWh) Nuclear (GWh) Nuclear as a percentage of total electricity supply 
			 2001 395,177 90,093 22.8 
			 2002 395,661 87,848 22.2 
			 2003 400,369 88,686 22.2 
			 2004 401,418 79,999 19.9 
			 2005 406,681 81,618 20.1 
			 2006 404,799 75,451 18.6 
			 2007 401,944 63,028 15.7 
			 2008 399,715 52,486 13.1 
			 2009 379,601 69,098 18.2 
			 2010 383,791 62,140 16.2 
			 Source: DUKES (Digest of UK Energy Statistics), Electricity: Commodity Balances, Table 5.1, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/electricity/electricity.aspx

Nuclear Reactors

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has made an assessment of the use in (a) China, (b) Russia and (c) India of thorium reactors to provide a domestic source of low-carbon energy; and whether he has any plans for the use of such reactors in the UK.

Charles Hendry: DECC has not undertaken formal assessments of any development projects for thorium fuelled nuclear reactors in China, India or Russia, although we are aware of these countries' intentions to develop such technologies.
	Nonetheless, the Department is aware of the potential of thorium reactor designs and is in the process of assessing claims over its suitability as an alternative to uranium based reactors in the longer term.
	The current view of thorium reactor technologies from the nuclear industry is that, while the science is reasonably sound, developing reactors based on a thorium fuel cycle would carry major technological and commercial risks. The resources required to develop these technologies to the point at which they might be deployed successfully at a commercial scale are also very significant.
	To date, both in the UK and elsewhere in the world, this has prevented private industry and government from investing significantly in the development of the technology. No thorium reactor design has yet been implemented as a commercial power reactor, while many either exist only on paper or have only had specific subsystems demonstrated. As an indicator of the challenge of taking this technology further, the Chinese Academy of Sciences estimates a development period of at least 20 years will be required before a demonstration thorium molten salt breeder reactor might be available.
	While thorium does not appear to have a part to play in the UK's near to mid-term energy market, we do maintain an interest in its development. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), has asked the NNL to look further into the wider benefits of next generation reactor designs and to compare the use of thorium and uranium fuels in them. We are expecting the findings to be available in due course.

Nuclear Reactors

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policy on nuclear power of the Office for Nuclear Development's recent decision to grant interim design acceptance of generic designs for two nuclear reactors.

Charles Hendry: The decision to grant interim Design Acceptance Confirmations (iDACs) of generic designs for two nuclear reactors was made by the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the UK's independent nuclear safety and security regulator. The decision to grant interim Statements of Design Acceptability (iSoDAs) was made the Environment Agency.
	It is the Government's view that the recent decisions by Office for Nuclear Regulation and Environment Agency to grant iDACs and iSoDAs respectively of generic designs for the UK EPR (designed by Areva and EDF Energy) and the AP1000 (designed by Westinghouse Electric Company) reactor designs is a key moment and an essential step on the critical path for delivering safe and secure nuclear new build in the UK. This signals significant progress, taken by Government, towards completion of the facilitative actions to encourage investment in new nuclear build in the UK.

Nuclear Reactors

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the Office for Nuclear Development's recent decision to grant interim design acceptance of generic designs for two nuclear reactors, when he expects new nuclear power stations in the UK to be operational.

Charles Hendry: The decision to grant interim Design Acceptance Confirmations (iDACs) of generic designs for two nuclear reactors was made by the Office for Nuclear Regulation, the UK's independent nuclear safety and security regulator. The decision to grant interim Statements of Design Acceptability (iSoDAs) was made the Environment Agency.
	The timing of new nuclear power stations becoming operational in the UK is a matter for industry. Industry currently has plans to build 16GW of new nuclear capacity by 2025.
	Government will continue to deliver on their facilitative actions and work with industry to achieve the aim of having the first new nuclear power stations generating electricity from around 2018.

Renewable Energy

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of domestic energy supply has been provided by renewable energy in each of the last 10 years; whether future targets for such supplies have been agreed for the next 10 years; what corresponding targets for reducing carbon emissions have been agreed; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: The proportion of UK primary energy supply provided from renewable sources over the last 10 years is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  UK primary energy supply (ktoe) Renewable energy supply Percentage 
			 2001 247,586 2,965 1.2 
			 2002 241,149 3,275 1.4 
			 2003 244,152 3,506 1.4 
			 2004 246,062 4,065 1.7 
			 2005 247,558 4,841 2.0 
			 2006 244,460 5,181 2.1 
			 2007 237,236 5,592 2.4 
			 2008 235,041 6,550 2.8 
			 2009 220,160 7,475 3.4 
			 2010 227,710 8,170 3.6 
			 Source: Primary energy supply data from DUKES (Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics) table 1.1-1.3, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/total/total.aspx * * To note that this is not the same measure as the renewable energy directive measure also referred to in this PQ, which is renewable energy consumption as a proportion of capped gross final energy consumption. Renewables supply data from table DUKES 7.1-7.3, available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/source/renewables/renewables.aspx 
		
	
	The UK has a binding target under the renewable energy directive 2009 to produce 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, with interim targets of 4% in 2011-12, 5.4% in 2013-14, 7.5% in 2015-16 and 10.2% in 2017-18. The Renewable Energy Roadmap published in July sets out the trajectory towards meeting our 15% renewable energy target and the related interim targets, available at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/re_roadmap/re_roadmap.aspx
	The roadmap includes illustrative ‘central ranges’ for eight key renewables technologies and while they do not represent technology specific targets or the level of our ambition, they do show what could be deployed by 2020.
	We also have an EU target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020. The October 2011 emissions projections in the Carbon Plan (published on 1 December) suggest that the UK is in a strong position to deliver on more ambitious carbon budgets out to 2020. We continue to lobby strongly in Europe for a move to a more ambitious EU 2020 emissions target and, if successful, we will amend our second and third carbon budgets accordingly, following effort share negotiations with other member states, to ensure that they are consistent with new EU obligations. Further information is available in the Carbon Plan at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/tackling-climate-change/carbon-plan/3702-the-carbon-plan-delivering-our-low-carbon-future.pdf

Renewable Energy: Costs

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate has been made of the cost to the public purse of the EU Renewable Energy Directive in each year since its introduction.

Gregory Barker: The EU renewable energy directive (RED) was introduced in April 2009. Contributing towards renewable deployment under the directive are the renewables obligation and feed-in tariffs, the combined gross costs of which were £1.1 billion in financial year 2009-10 and £1.3 billion in 2010-11, in nominal prices based on data from Ofgem. A large proportion of this cost is the renewables obligation, which pre-dates the directive.
	We do not yet have full cost data for 2011-12 which will include spend on the policies as above, as well as:
	the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme;
	Phase I of the Renewable Heat Incentive which commenced on 28 November 2011; and
	transport elements of the RED, which were implemented on 15 December 2011.
	It should be stressed that the above cost figures do not account for the direct benefits of renewables for the UK economy. Renewables play a key role in the decarbonisation of our energy supply, necessary to meet our obligations under the Climate Change Act. They are crucial to help protect consumers from fossil fuel price fluctuations, help contribute to our long-term energy security, and drive investment in the UK.
	Total renewable energy consumption increased by 27% from 42.6 TWh in 2008 to 53 TWh in 2010—representing 3.3% of total energy consumed. In addition, latest estimates show that, in the current financial year, companies have already announced plans for almost £2.5 billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK. See:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn11_115/pn11_115.aspx

Renewable Energy: Heating

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which companies (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have met to discuss the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in the last six months; and if he will meet representatives from the oil heating industry to discuss the RHI.

Gregory Barker: In the last six months, I have met with a number of companies where a range of energy issues including the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) have been discussed. None of these meetings have been exclusively concerning the RHI.
	I have asked my officials to engage with Oftec (Oil Firing Technical Association) who represent members of the oil-fired heating industry. They have provided useful evidence which we are considering. I therefore do not propose to meet members of the oil-fired heating industry at this time.

Renewable Energy: Heating

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects to announce a decision on whether bioliquids will be included in the Renewable Heat Incentive; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: As stated in the Renewable Heat Incentive policy document (published in March 2011), we are considering whether to support bioliquids as part of developing the second phase of the scheme. In the light of the later than expected launch of phase one of the Renewable Heat Incentive and of the changes required by the European Commission, we are reviewing the timetable for the introduction of phase two and will confirm the timetable early in 2012.

Renewable Energy: Heating

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions he has had with (a) Ministers and (b) officials in HM Treasury about the inclusion of bioliquids in the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Gregory Barker: My officials and I have regular discussions with HM Treasury about a range of issues but there have been no discussions specifically about the possible inclusion of bioliquids in the Renewable Heat Incentive.
	As stated in the Renewable Heat Incentive policy document (published in March 2011), we are considering whether to support bioliquids as part of developing the second phase of the scheme. In the light of the later than expected launch of phase one of the Renewable Heat Incentive and of the changes required by the European Commission, we are reviewing the timetable for the introduction of phase two and will confirm the timetable early in 2012.

Renewable Energy: Heating

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  whether the introduction of phase two of the Renewable Heating Incentive will coincide with the commencement of the Green Deal programme;
	(2)  whether he plans to publish further guidance in respect of the proposed introduction of phase two of the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Gregory Barker: We are currently developing our proposals for supporting domestic heat and we intend to publish these for public consultation in due course. In the light of the later than expected launch of Phase One of the RHI and of the changes required by the European Commission, we are reviewing the timetable for the introduction of Phase Two. We will be able to confirm the exact timing early in 2012.

Renewables Obligation

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the potential effects of his proposals to reform the banding of renewables obligation certificates for gasification and pyrolysis technologies on (a) investor confidence in the development of generating plant, (b) local authority procurement for residual waste treatment processes and (c) the potential development of such processes as alternatives to fossil fuels.

Gregory Barker: The Government’s policy aim is to bring on the deployment of gasification and pyrolysis technologies, including the most advanced forms, which can generate renewable energy efficiently and cost-effectively from waste resources that would otherwise go to landfill. Our assessment of these issues is set out in the renewables obligation banding review consultation published in October
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/consultation/ro-banding/3235-consultation-ro-banding.pdf
	As part of the consultation process DECC officials are actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the best possible evidence base for determining support for gasification and pyrolysis technologies in the next banding period. The Government are due to publish their response to the consultation in spring 2012.

Renewables Obligation

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what consideration he has given to the definition of eligible gasification and pyrolysis technologies in his proposals to reform the banding of renewable obligation certificates for gasification and pyrolysis technologies.

Gregory Barker: The renewables obligation banding review consultation published in October proposed new definitions for gasification and pyrolysis alongside proposed levels of support from 2013 to 2017. Our proposals are based on deployment evidence and work undertaken by Arup that the existing definitions are not fully achieving the Government's policy aim to incentivise efficient and cost-effective generation by this sector. Officials are actively engaging with developers during the consultation period on what technologies will be eligible for what level of support and will use the further evidence provided to inform our response to the consultation due in spring 2012.

Renewables Obligation

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his proposed changes to the renewables obligation will result in the cancelling of any proposed renewable projects.

Charles Hendry: The changes to the renewables obligation (RO) proposed by Government are intended to bring on the most cost-effective and affordable deployment and to result in substantially higher levels of renewable electricity generation than if we were to leave the bands unchanged. We expect the support levels proposed in the RO banding review consultation, published on 20 October 2011, to help deliver around 70-75 terrawatt-hours (TWh) of large-scale renewable electricity per year by the end of the banding period in April 2017. This is around three times the amount generated by renewable electricity in 2010 (25.7TWh)
	(1)
	and in line with our long-term goal for large-scale renewable electricity to contribute 108TWh/y of the 234TWh/y of generation needed to meet our 2020 renewable energy target. Our consultation proposals will also encourage substantial investment, providing opportunities for jobs and wealth creation.
	(1) UK Renewable Energy Roadmap, DECC, July 2011, URN 11D/698.
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/re_roadmap/re_roadmap.aspx

Renewables Obligation

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has calculated the potential change in the level of generation from advanced thermal technologies as a result of the Government's proposed reform of the renewables obligation in respect of gasification and pyrolysis technologies.

Charles Hendry: The renewables obligation banding review consultation published in October 2011 sets out the Government's proposals in respect of gasification and pyrolysis technologies. The impact of our proposals on these technologies is discussed in the consultation stage impact assessment published last November. Both documents are available on the Department of Energy and Climate Change's website at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/cons_ro_review/cons_ro_review.aspx
	The Government's policy aim is to bring on the deployment of gasification and pyrolysis technologies, including the most advanced forms, which can generate renewable energy efficiently and cost-effectively from waste resources that would otherwise go to landfill. Because of the small size of the advanced conversion technologies sector, the information on costs and deployment potential used to inform our consultation proposals was limited. We have therefore invited further evidence on costs and deployment potential as part of the consultation process to inform our final decision on the support levels for gasification and pyrolysis technologies from 1 April 2013. DECC officials are actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the best possible evidence base for determining support for gasification and pyrolysis technologies in the next banding period. The Government are due to publish their response to the consultation in spring 2012.

Renewables Obligation

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effect on levels of employment in the renewable energy sector of his proposals to reform the Renewables Obligation Certificate regime for gasification and pyrolysis technologies;
	(2)  whether he has made an estimate of the number of infrastructure projects in the advanced thermal technology sector which will not proceed under his proposal to reform the Renewables Obligation Certificate regime for gasification and pyrolysis technologies;
	(3)  what level of savings he expects to accrue from reducing the Renewables Obligation Certificate payment for electricity generated by standard gasification and pyrolysis;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the likely effect on investor confidence of his proposal to reform the definitions for the award of Renewables Obligation Certificates for gasification and pyrolysis technologies after the passage of the Renewables Obligation Order 2009 and before the introduction of electricity market reforms.

Charles Hendry: The Renewables Obligation banding review consultation published in October 2011 sets out the Government's proposals in respect of gasification and pyrolysis technologies. The impact of our proposals on these technologies is discussed in the consultation stage Impact Assessment published last November. Both documents are available on the Department of Energy and Climate Change's website at:
	http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/cons _ro_review/cons_ro_review.aspx
	The Government's policy aim is to bring on the deployment of gasification and pyrolysis technologies, including the most advanced forms, which can generate renewable energy efficiently and cost-effectively from waste resources that would otherwise go to landfill. Because of the small size of the advanced conversion technologies sector, the information on costs and deployment potential used to inform our consultation proposals was limited. We have therefore invited further evidence on costs and deployment potential as part of the consultation process to inform our final decision on the support levels for gasification and pyrolysis technologies from 1 April 2013. DECC officials are actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the best possible evidence base for determining support for gasification and pyrolysis technologies in the next banding period. The Government are due to publish their response to the consultation in spring 2012.

Solar Power

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions his Department has had with industry to encourage the take-up of integrated solar systems; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: Ministers and officials meet regularly with a range of stakeholders from the solar photovoltaic industry.
	Details of meetings between DECC Ministers and external organisations are published quarterly on the DECC website.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many companies his (a) Department and (b) consultants contacted directly for cost information to inform the proposals to change feed-in tariffs in respect of (i) rent a roof or free solar, (ii) social housing and (iii) private installations; and if he will list the average cost per kilowatt of installed capacity in each of these categories.

Gregory Barker: DECC officials and consultants have met with a broad range of companies during the process of reviewing the Feed-in Tariffs scheme. The cost information gathered during these meetings is reflected in the consultants' report (“Updates to feed in tariff model—documentation of changes for solar PV consultation”) and specifically Annex B (“References for cost and potential data updates”), which supplements the Impact Assessment and can be found on our website:
	www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/fits_comp _rev1/fits_comp_rev1.aspx

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects to publish his response to the consultation on the solar power feed-in tariff.

Gregory Barker: The consultation will conclude on 23 December 2011. This will be followed by consideration of responses to consultation, after which a Government response will be published and any changes will be subjected to parliamentary scrutiny. We are proposing that changes to the tariffs will come into effect on 1 April 2012.

Wind Power: Planning Permission

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what directions he has issued on the treatment of the viability of a wind farm application as material planning consideration.

Charles Hendry: Current planning policy advises that the economics of a scheme are a matter for the technical and commercial judgement of the wind farm applicant, as with all other planning applications.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what (a) bi-lateral and (b) multi-lateral meetings (i) he and (ii) his officials have had with their international counterparts to discuss the importance of securing a robust Arms Trade Treaty in preparation for the final Preparatory Committee in February 2012.

Andrew Mitchell: Securing a robust and effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is a priority for the Government. Department for International Development officials regularly raise the Treaty with their international counterparts to highlight the importance of an ATT and to understand the positions of other states. The UK delegation to the Arms Trade Treaty has regular meetings with other states, for example, with the European Union and with the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (P5).

Arms Trade

Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of his Department's officials at each grade are working on the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations; whether there has been any change in the personnel leading on this matter; and whether he expects any further changes to be made before July 2012.

Andrew Mitchell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Counter Proliferation Department lead on the negotiation of an Arms Trade Treaty and are supported by officials from the Department for International Development (DFID), as well as from other Departments. DFID is committed to continuing its presence on the UK's Arms Trade Treaty delegation.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which representatives from his Department have attended each of the UN Preparatory Committee meetings for the International Arms Trade Treaty; and which representatives from his Department will attend the meeting in February 2012.

Andrew Mitchell: The UK Delegation has included an official from the Department for Intentional Development at each of the UN preparatory committees and will continue to do so at the Treaty Negotiating Conference.

Departmental Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many times his Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development has not used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010.

Developing Countries: Water

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he plans to publish the outcome of his Department's review of its support for water and sanitation programmes.

Stephen O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently reviewing its work on water and sanitation to see how we can achieve even more results and better value for money. This includes looking at the effectiveness of programmes in improving health outcomes.
	The results of this review will be available early in 2012.

Nigeria: Equality

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what development programmes funded by his Department aim at promoting equality in Nigeria.

Andrew Mitchell: Equitable economic growth and fair access to health care and education are critical for sustained development in Nigeria. The Department for International Development (DFID) programmes in Nigeria promote equality.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Stalking And Harassment: Internet

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether she has any plans to negotiate a code of conduct in respect of stalking and harassment with social media providers;
	(2)  if she will consider introducing a duty on social media providers to co-operate with the police during any investigation into stalking or harassment under the provisions of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Lynne Featherstone: The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 covers all situations where a perpetrator pursues a course of conduct which amounts to harassment—it does not matter whether the conduct was committed online or offline.
	This is a challenging international problem, with social media providers and internet servers often located outside UK borders. On 11 July 2011, the Home Office helped to organise a ministerial seminar on personal harm on the internet with internet service providers, social media providers, charities and victims. One of the key themes of the seminar was cyber-stalking and a range of perspectives from victims, academics and operational experts has informed the Government's ongoing work in this area.
	The Government launched a consultation on stalking on 14 November 2011 to ask for views on how we can protect victims of stalking more effectively. The consultation incorporates a number of issues, including cyber stalking, current legislation, and search powers. The consultation will remain open until 5 February 2012.

Age: Discrimination

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish her response to her Department's consultation on ending age discrimination in services, public functions and associations.

Lynne Featherstone: The Government response to the consultation on exceptions to the proposed ban on age discrimination will be published in due course.

Alcoholic Drinks: Antisocial Behaviour

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps she is taking to encourage the use of temporary banning orders by police forces to deal with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to encourage the use of drink banning orders; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The Government are committed to ensuring that alcohol is no longer the driver of crime and disorder and unacceptable harms that it has been over the past decade. We are giving the police and statutory authorities the powers to enable them to do this. We are currently reviewing the effectiveness of drink banning orders and interim drink banning orders following our consultation on reforming powers to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Animal Experiments

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many independent inspections of laboratories conducting animal research there have been in each year since 1997; and how many such inspections she expects to take place in 2012.

Lynne Featherstone: The number of visits to establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit Inspectorate from 1997 to 2010 is in the table. The number of visits for 2011 will not be available until the end of January 2012.
	I am not in a position to estimate future numbers of inspections by the Home Office Inspectors. The inspectorate will continue to take a risk-based approach to the planning and execution of the inspection programme.
	
		
			  Number of visits for the purpose of inspection or work in progress 
			 2010 1,984 
			 2009 1,994 
			 2008 2,088 
			 2007 2,401 
			 2006 2,381 
			 2005 2,383 
			 2004 2,682 
			 2003 2,576 
			 2002 2,264 
			 2001 2,009 
			 2000 2,235 
			 1999 2,174 
			 1998 2,163 
			 1997 1,893

Animal Experiments: Botulinum Toxin

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress her Department has made on promoting the use of alternatives to animals as soon as is practicable; whether she plans to stop authorising the use of mice for the potency testing of botulism; and what discussions she has had with her international counterparts on proposals to strengthen regulations on the use of animals in scientific procedures.

Lynne Featherstone: We continue to promote the development of alternatives through effective implementation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, through continuing support for the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and through discussions, as necessary, with other Government Departments. In addition, the coalition agreement includes two commitments relating to the use of animals in scientific research:
	to work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research and to end the testing of household products on animals.
	The first commitment is being delivered through a science-led programme led by the NC3Rs and the second using the licensing powers provided by the 1986 Act.
	With regard to potency testing of botulinum toxin, under the 1986 Act, no testing may be authorised which requires the use of protected animals when an alternative test, not requiring their use, can be used. At present, European legislation requires the use of either the mouse bioassay or a product-specific, scientifically-validated alternative for testing both the potency and safety of botulinum toxin. We are aware of a non-animal alternative test which has been approved for testing a specific botulinum toxin product in other geographical regions, but this is not yet approved in the European Union. We continue to liaise with all interested parties to ensure that all granted licences for this purpose fulfil the requirements of the 1986 Act, now and in the future, and we will continue to monitor developments.
	One of the key aims of European directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes is to promote the use of alternatives and to harmonise standards across Europe. United Kingdom officials actively supported this aim in the negotiation of this directive including support for the inclusion of a requirement for thematic reviews which are intended to help to identify where alternatives can be most effective.

Animal Experiments: Primates

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, what her policy is on the use of alternative centres that do not restock their breeding animals from the wild and whose non-human primates are all purpose and captive bred.

Lynne Featherstone: Our policy is that non-human primates used in scientific research must be born and bred in the UK and obtained from designated UK breeders/suppliers.
	However, importation of animals may be allowed if sufficient animals are not available in the UK of the appropriate age range or for some long-term programmes of work that require consistency of source of non-human primates for scientific reasons.
	We prefer that the imported animals are F2 non-human primates or animals sourced from self-sustaining colonies. However the use of wild-caught breeding animals is only one of the criteria by which centres are assessed. Not using wild-caught breeding animals does not of itself make a centre acceptable.
	The breeding centre should have a policy of reducing dependence on wild-caught animals for future breeding stock. The number of wild-caught animals introduced into the colony for breeding should be in accordance with restrictions imposed by the national authority. Where the breeding centre is capturing wild or feral primates it should have a clearly defined and effective process for ensuring that any person trapping primates is adequately trained and supervised in humane methods of capture.

Animal Experiments: Primates

Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect on the prospects for successful implementation of her policy to reduce dependence on wild caught animals for breeding and supply of animals for scientific purposes to the UK of (a) the location of supply centres outside the jurisdiction of the UK and (b) the need to identify different generational offspring.

Lynne Featherstone: Overseas centres that currently use wild-caught animals are making significant progress towards building up numbers of F1+ breeding animals. This takes time as breeding animals are typically used for 10 years and F1 offspring take several years to reach sexual maturity. The most recent round of appraisals suggested that good progress is being made at the Mauritian centres currently being used.
	It is sensible to have acceptable supply centres in more than one country as it is possible that a centre or country could become unusable without notice due to a number of factors completely outside the control of users such as economic, political, health and transport issues.
	The captive bred filial status of non-human primates (F1, F2, F2+ etc.), where deducible from knowledge of the centres' practices and/or from individual records, is one of the pieces of information that is supplied to the Home Office in a report following each acquisition.

Arrest Warrants

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been sent to the UK under the European Arrest Warrant, in order to face prosecution, in each year since its inception, by type of offence; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: holding answer 7 November 2011
	Due to the way that the data is recorded, it is not possible for these figures to be broken down by the number returned to face prosecution or to serve an existing sentence in each year without a manual examination of each individual case file. This would incur a disproportionate cost.

Asylum

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum case files have been open for (a) one year, (b) two years, (c) three years, (d) four years and (e) five years or more.

Damian Green: The number of open cases in the new asylum model, also known as the asylum work in progress caseload (WiP) was published on the HM Government website in August 2011 reflecting June data. The breakdown is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Age of cases (months) WiP as at end June 11 
			 12-24 7,088 
			 24-36 9,262 
			 36-48 7,835 
			 48-60 3,403 
		
	
	All cases that are over 60 months belong to the Case Assurance and Audit Unit (CAAU). There are 17,000(1)) of these in the live case cohort, as well as 93,000(1) cases in the controlled archive.
	All figures quoted are management information which has been subject to internal quality checks.
	(1) Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.

Asylum

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum claims were concluded within (a) six, (b) 12, (c) 18 and (d) 24 months in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The number of asylum claims concluded in (a) 6, (b) 12, (c) 18 and (d) 24 months in each of the last five years is listed in the following table:
	
		
			 Number 
			  2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 (1) 
			 Concluded in six months 8924 9711 9501 9146 5856 
			 Concluded in 12-months 10589 11748 11884 10613 n/a(2) 
			 Concluded in 18-months 11519 12970 13289 11120 n/a(2) 
			 Concluded in 24-months 12156 14018 14324 11170 n/a(2) 
			 (1) The 2011 figures are from January-September 2011. (2) We are unable to supply these figures as we have not yet reached the 12-month, 18-month, 24-month conclusion periods for asylum cases received in 2011. Notes: 1. Figures are cumulative; therefore cases concluded within 24-months include all cases concluded within six, 12, and 18-months. 2. All figures quoted are management information which have been subject to internal quality checks.

Asylum

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was paid in compensation to asylum seekers in each of the last five years; and what the 20 largest sums of compensation paid out in individual cases were in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency prepares its accounts in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards adapted for the public sector in accordance with guidance issued by HM Treasury.
	The UK Border Agency has previously reported the total amount of compensation payments made in its annual resource accounts. However, it is not possible to disaggregate these totals without incurring disproportionate costs. It is also not possible to identify separately only those payments made to asylum-seekers without incurring disproportionate costs.
	The 20 largest sums of compensation per year since 2009 are shown in the following table. Data prior to this point are not held centrally.
	
		
			  Total (£) 
			 2009 200,000.00 
			 2009 195,675.00 
			 2009 150,000.00 
			 2009 110,000.00 
			 2009 105,000.00 
			 2009 100,500.00 
			 2009 100,000.00 
			 2009 100,000.00 
			 2009 90,000.00 
			 2009 70,000.00 
			 2009 70,000.00 
			 2009 62,500,00 
			 2009 60,000.00 
			 2009 55,000.00 
			 2009 50,000.00 
			 2009 45,000.00 
			 2009 45,000.00 
			 2009 33,000.00 
		
	
	
		
			 2009 30,100.00 
			 2009 30,000.00 
			 2010 138,000.00 
			 2010 130,000.00 
			 2010 110,000.00 
			 2010 105,000.00 
			 2010 85,000.00 
			 2010 82,804.00 
			 2010 82,000.00 
			 2010 75,000.00 
			 2010 75,000.00 
			 2010 70,000.00 
			 2010 60,000.00 
			 2010 60,000.00 
			 2010 60,000.00 
			 2010 58,500.00 
			 2010 57,500.00 
			 2010 56,000.00 
			 2010 55,000.00 
			 2010 48,000.00 
			 2010 47,500.00 
			 2010 45,000.00 
			 2011 170,000.00 
			 2011 150,000.00 
			 2011 150,000.00 
			 2011 122,000.00 
			 2011 121,500.00 
			 2011 110,000.00 
			 2011 102,500.00 
			 2011 100,000.00 
			 2011 92,500.00 
			 2011 90,000.00 
			 2011 87,000.00 
			 2011 85,000.00 
			 2011 85,000.00 
			 2011 84,896.00 
			 2011 84,000.00 
			 2011 82,000.00 
			 2011 72,000.00 
			 2011 70,000.00 
			 2011 65,000.00 
			 2011 65,000.00

British Nationality

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the detention data tables Immigration Statistics April to June 2011, how many detainees granted temporary admission or release were subsequently (a) removed from the UK, (b) allowed to remain in the UK and (c) granted a different status.

Damian Green: With reference to the detention data tables immigration Statistics April June 2011.
	Of the 7,345 individuals who were granted temporary admission or release on leaving detention in 2010, 1,544 individuals have subsequently been removed from the UK, and 2,316 individuals have subsequently been granted leave to remain in the UK.
	The remaining individuals are either in the process of being removed or awaiting a final decision on their cases. Some may have appealed against earlier decisions or submitted new applications.
	Of those awaiting removal, some will have been returned to immigration detention. Where detention is not possible—or example if there are barriers to removal such as difficulties in obtaining travel documents—individuals must report regularly to the UK Border Agency.
	Furthermore, some may have left the country voluntarily without informing the UK Border Agency.
	All figures quoted are management information which has been subject to internal quality checks.

Brodie Clark

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when in 2011 (a) she and (b) the Minister of State for Immigration had meetings with Brodie Clark.

Damian Green: holding answer 14 November 2011
	Home Office Ministers have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Burglary

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on the number of shed burglaries in Nottinghamshire which were categorised as (a) burglaries and (b) other forms of crime in 2011.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 19 December 2011
	Information is not available on how shed burglaries have been categorised in Nottinghamshire from the police recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office.

Civil Disorder

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the funds provided by her Department in respect of compensation following the public disorder of August 2011 are allocated from existing budgets; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: Funding allocated by the Home Office following the public disorder of August 2011 is not being taken from the police funding settlement. It has been allocated from savings in other areas and from the Department's contingency provision.

Civil Disorder

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale of 24 November 2011, Official Report, column 481W, on civil disorder, how the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 will be reviewed; which external organisations will be consulted as part of the review; and when she expects the review to be completed.

Nick Herbert: We want to ensure that we consider all learning derived from last August’s disorder, including consultation with people affected by the disorder and organisations involved in the recovery. The review is expected to be completed by the end of this financial year.

Civil Disorder

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter she sent to Chairs of Police Authorities with guidance on her Department's response to the public disorder of August 2011, including proposed amendments to the regulations under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 and details of the bureau established to receive and assess claims from those without insurance.

Nick Herbert: A copy of the letter dated 12 August 2011 from the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), to chairs of police authorities will be placed in the Library. In August, the Home Secretary made regulations under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 to increase the time in which people could submit compensation claims to police authorities from 14 days to 42. A review of the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 is under way and will consider all options for reform. There are therefore not yet any specific proposed amendments to the regulations. The bureau set up in August by the Home Office to help prepare claims from the uninsured to be sent to police authorities with a recommendation for payment is still operational and processing claims.

Civil Disorder

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response she plans to make to the claim by the Metropolitan Police for special grant funding to reimburse the estimated additional costs of Operations Kirkin and Withern and the provisions of the Riot (Damages) Act 1886.

Nick Herbert: Applications received under special grant have been processed; the decision and response to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will be conveyed imminently.

Civil Disorder: Greater London

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings she has had with (a) the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and (b) the Mayor of London on changes to the Service Mobilisation Plan of the Metropolitan Police Service following the public disorder in London in August 2011.

Nick Herbert: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Crime

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect of high levels of crime on the commercial viability of high streets.

James Brokenshire: My Department has not made any assessment of the effect of crime on the commercial viability of high streets.

Crime: Economic Situation

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost of personal and household crime to the economy in 2010.

James Brokenshire: holding answer 19 December 2011
	In 2005, the Home Office published estimates of the costs of crime in England and Wales for the year 2003-04. The total burden of crime against individuals and households was estimated to be £36.2 billion. Updated cost estimates of specific crime types were published in 2011, but the Home Office has not published any more recent estimates of the total cost of crime to the economy.

Crime: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she last met the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the Scottish Government to discuss serious and organised crime.

Nick Herbert: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has not met the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the Scottish Government to discuss serious and organised crime.

Crimes of Violence

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to ensure that crimes relating to honour-based violence are recorded in a separate category from other offences by police authorities.

Lynne Featherstone: Crimes relating to honour-based violence can range from emotional abuse and harassment at one end of the spectrum through to serious violence and murder at the other end. Although these crimes are recorded as the relevant substantive criminal offence they are also identified by police forces as honour-based violence. There are no current plans for crimes relating to honour-based violence to be recorded in a separate category.

Crimes of Violence

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department has taken to develop and implement a national strategy to tackle honour-based violence.

Lynne Featherstone: The Government's ‘Call to End Violence against Women and Girls’ strategy and the supporting action plan includes commitments to tackle honour-based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
	In the ‘Action Plan to End Violence Against Women and Girls’ published in March 2011, the Government committed to reviewing the findings from a honour-based violence local mapping exercise co-ordinated by the Home Office and identify models of effective practice to share with local areas, particularly those where awareness and activity to tackle forms of honour-based violence is low. The Government are also committed to continuing the delivery of training for specialist and dedicated prosecutors in issues relating to violence against women and girls, including prosecution of perpetrators of honour based violence.

Debt Collection

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times her Department has used the services of debt recovery companies since May 2010; which companies were used; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: The number of cases referred to debt recovery companies between May 2010 and November 2011 were:
	
		
			 Company Number of cases referred 
			 Fairfax Solicitors 1,944 
			 Coltman Warner Cranston LLP 77 
			 Irwin Mitchell Solicitors 69

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many apprentices were employed by each public body for which her Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships she expects each public body to sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April 2012 and March 2013.

Damian Green: Of the Home Office sponsored executive non-departmental public bodies, only the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) employed apprentices during the periods in question, employing three apprentices between April 2010 and March 2011. None of the Home Office sponsored executive NDPBs plan to sponsor any apprenticeships between January and March 2012 and April and March 2013.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding from the public purse has been allocated to sponsor apprenticeships in each of the public bodies for which her Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011, (b) April 2011 and March 2012 and (c) April 2012 and March 2013.

Damian Green: Of the Home Office sponsored Executive non-departmental public bodies, only the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has allocated funding to sponsor apprenticeships during the periods in question. The funding from the public purse to sponsor apprenticeships in the EHRC is as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 (a) Between April 2010 and March 2011 (1)52,997 
			 (b) Between April 2011 and March 2012 0 
			 (c) Between April 2012 and March 2013 0 
			 (1) This excludes the costs for employers' pension and national insurance contributions, as the actual cost information is not held by the Commission. The estimated additional cost for this is £13,249.

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what equality impact assessments her Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

Damian Green: The Home Office considers equality issues in exercising its functions, to comply with equality legislation and to ensure that it understands how its activities will affect different people. It provides information about this consideration in various ways. In the specified period, this information was sometimes published in the form of an equality impact assessment, although there has never been a legal requirement to produce such a document. Information about the number of such documents published by the Home Office is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency staff were based at (a) London Heathrow, (b) London Gatwick, (c) London Stansted, (d) Birmingham, (e) Manchester, (f) Leeds, (g) Bristol, (h) Edinburgh, (i) Glasgow, (j) Aberdeen, (k) Inverness, (l) Prestwick, (m) Belfast and (n) Cardiff airports in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The UK Border Force only publishes resource data at a regional level.
	In the last five years there have been a number of re-organisations leading to the merger with HMRC's Detection Service creating the UK Border Agency. The data produced in the following table reflects these re-organisations as much as is possible, but there is not always a match. The resources transferred from HMRC are only included in the November 2011 figures. All figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
	
		
			 Current Region  Total staff 
			 North March 2007 676 
			  March 2008 444 
			  March 2009 525 
			  March 2010 472 
			  November 2011 1,027 
			    
			 Central March 2007 — 
			  March 2008 528 
			  March 2009 523 
			  March 2010 467 
			  November 2011 1,219 
			    
			 Heathrow March 2007 1,362 
			  March 2008 1,194 
			  March 2009 1,193 
			  March 2010 1,117 
			  November 2011 1,569 
			    
			 South and  Europe March 2007 2,163 
		
	
	
		
			  March 2008 1,649 
			  March 2009 1,676 
			  March 2010 1,561 
			  November 2011 2,698

Departmental Meetings

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will publish a list of all meetings held between Home Office Ministers and Brodie Clarke between 1 January and 5 November 2011.

Damian Green: holding answer 10 November 2011
	Home Office Ministers have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Departmental Recruitment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011.

Damian Green: Expenditure on recruitment agencies by the Home Office, including its Executive agencies, in each month from September through to November 2011 is detailed in the following table. The amounts include staff costs as well as recruiting agencies’ fees.
	
		
			 2011 £ 
			 September 1,586,550 
			 October 1,615,863 
			 November 1,862,021

Departmental Responsibilities

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings she has had with hon. Members of each political party since May 2010.

Damian Green: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Departmental Temporary Staff

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many temporary staff were recruited to her Department between September and November 2011.

Damian Green: The Home Office, including executive agencies, recruited a total of 32 temporary staff during the period September to November 2011. Recruitment of all temporary staff is subject to scrutiny through internal approvals processes. Appointments are only made when operationally necessary and when posts cannot be filled by existing staff.

Departmental Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of questions for ordinary written answer received a substantive response within (a) 10, (b) 20, (c) 30 and (d) more than 30 sitting days in the 2010-12 session to date.

Damian Green: The information requested, to 30 November 2011, is provided in the following table:
	
		
			 Home Office ordinary written questions for answer, May 2010 to November 2011 
			 Month due for answer Answered in 0-10 days Answered in 11-20 days Answered in 21-30 days Answered in over 30 days 
			 2010     
			 June 199 17 5 1 
			 July 230 49 4 6 
			 September 238 31 2 11 
			 October 209 20 9 6 
			 November 288 19 15 3 
			 December 191 11 6 1 
			 2011     
			 January 214 29 1 0 
			 February 238 1 0 0 
			 March 383 27 4 1 
			 April 106 7 4 0 
			 May 276 28 1 2 
			 June 246 14 5 8 
			 July 156 5 8 11 
			 September 266 20 16 19 
			 October 241 13 5 5 
			 November 300 41 24 6 
		
	
	The Government have committed to providing the Procedure Committee with information relating to written parliamentary question performance on a sessional basis and will provide full information to the Committee at the end of the Session. Statistics relating to Government Departments’ performance for the 2009-10 parliamentary Session were previously provided to the committee and are available on the Parliament website.

Deportation: Offenders

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals were deported after having served a custodial sentence in England and Wales in each year between 1997 and 2010.

Damian Green: holding answer 19 December 2011
	The following table sets out the number of foreign national offenders removed or deported from the UK each year. Please note that data prior to 2007 is not considered sufficiently reliable.
	
		
			  Number of foreign national offenders removed or deported 
			 2007 4,200 
			 2008 5,395 
			 2009 5,530 
			 2010 5,342

Disability Living Allowance

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many decisions were revised in the claimant's favour at reconsideration stage in respect of (a) employment and support allowance and (b) disability living allowance in each month since May 2010.

Chris Grayling: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	Information on employment and support allowance (ESA) reconsideration decisions is in the following table:
	
		
			  Total reconsideration decisions Reconsiderations in claimant's favour 
			 2010   
			 May 17,507 3,550 
			 June 19,751 3,467 
			 July 22,760 4,187 
			 August 22,212 4,510 
			 September 22,579 4,594 
			 October 20,058 5,676 
			 November 20,456 6,489 
			 December 19,593 5,747 
			    
			 2011   
			 January 22,863 7,048 
			 February 25,055 7,979 
			 March 27,927 8,657 
			 April 20,898 7,005 
			 May 24,009 8,030 
			 June 23,513 7,942 
			 July 22,634 7,261 
			 August 21,182 6,888 
			 September 22,411 7,359 
			 October 20,826 7,049 
			 November 18,052 6,814 
			 Source: Department for Work and Pensions—Decision Making and Appeals Case Recorder—ESA Management Information Statistics 
		
	
	Information on disability living allowance (DLA) reconsideration decisions is in the following table:
	
		
			  Total reconsideration decisions Reconsiderations in claimant's favour 
			 2010   
			 May 10,498 5,759 
			 June 11,395 5,010 
			 July 11,696 4,934 
			 August 11,037 4,758 
			 September 13,658 5,644 
			 October 13,031 5,412 
			 November 13,738 5,861 
			 December 9,750 4,166 
			    
			 2011   
			 January 11,506 4,895 
		
	
	
		
			 February 9,850 4,379 
			 March 13,008 5,685 
			 April 9,438 4,029 
			 May 11,102 4,458 
			 June 11,120 4,626 
			 July 11,104 4,927 
			 August 11,647 5,003 
			 September 11,706 4,899 
			 October 12,234 5,323 
			 November 11,848 5,269 
			 Source: Department for Work and Pensions—DLA Management Information Statistics

Domestic Violence: Charitable Trusts

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's policy is on encouraging local police forces to engage with charitable organisations in order to co-ordinate action to tackle domestic violence.

Lynne Featherstone: It is for individual police forces to decide on their policy for engagement with charitable organisations. We are aware that the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has established a national domestic abuse (DA) Voluntary Sector Group with representation from national third sector domestic abuse organisations.

Domestic Violence: Crime Prevention

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances restraining orders under section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 have been made in instances where the defendant has been acquitted.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 20 December 2011
	Information held centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the Court Proceedings Database does not include all the details of the circumstances associated with each case, beyond the description provided in the statute under which proceedings are brought. It is therefore not possible to identify under what circumstances restraining orders under section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 have been made in instances where the defendant has been acquitted.

Domestic Violence: Crime Prevention

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what range of conducts have been prohibited following the imposition of restraining orders under section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 since its enactment.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 20 December 2011
	Information on the range of conducts that have been prohibited following the imposition of restraining orders under section 12 of the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004 is not collected centrally.

Drugs

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to section 30 of the Coalition Agreement, what recent progress she has made in authorising the use of drug analyser technologies.

James Brokenshire: Devices must be of a type approved by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), in order to be authorised for use. Manufacturers have submitted six devices for approval. Practical operational tests of these devices were completed in the summer and reports have been presented to the manufacturers so that they can make such adjustments as they consider necessary. The type approval process also requires extensive laboratory tests. We are currently finalising arrangements for these.

Drugs

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to publish the report of its review of khat.

James Brokenshire: The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was requested by the Home Department to review the available evidence on khat, updating its assessment of 2005, and provide advice in relation to control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and a wider response.
	The ACMD anticipates that the review will be completed by December 2012.

Drugs: Arrests

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) arrested for possession of and (b) charged with possession of (i) ecstasy or MDMA, (ii) ketamine, (iii) LSD, (iv) cocaine, (v) crack cocaine, (vi) heroin, (vii) amphetamines and (viii) methadone in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The information requested on arrests and charges are not collected centrally.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office relates to notifiable offences only, which form the basis of recorded crime statistics. Latest available data are published in chapter 1 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin ‘Police Powers and Procedures, England and Wales, 2009-10’, which is available in the Library of the House and online at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb0711/
	The data are provided to the Home Office at offence group level, for example violence against the person and drug offences. As such, it is not possible to separately identify arrests for the possession of specific drugs. It is also not possible to match the aggregate data to any subsequent outcomes.

Drugs: UK Border Agency

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many seizures of (a) class A and (b) class B drugs the UK Border Agency made in the first six months of 2011.

Damian Green: The latest drug seizure statistics that have been produced in accordance with the Home Office's Statement of Compliance are contained within the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, ‘Seizures of drugs in England and Wales, 2010/11’, published on 10 November 2011, accessed via the following link:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb1711/hosb1711?view=Binary
	The UK Border Agency made 1,287 seizures of class A and 1,637 seizures of class B drugs in the period from 1 April 2010 until 31 March 2011.

Drugs: UK Border Agency

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) cocaine, (b) crack cocaine, (c) heroin, (d) methadone, (e) herbal cannabis, (f) cannabis resin and (g) amphetamines was seized by the UK Border Agency in the first six months of 2011.

Damian Green: The latest drug seizure statistics that have been produced in accordance with the Home Office's Statement of Compliance are contained within the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, 'Seizures of drugs in England and Wales, 2010/11' (accessed via the following link), published on 10 November 2011:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb1711/hosb1711?view=Binary
	The following table shows the amount of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, herbal cannabis, cannabis resin and amphetamines seized by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in the period from 1 April 2010 until 31 March 2011. Methadone seizures are not included as they could not be separately identified from the UKBA's recording system.
	
		
			 Drugs seized in the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 
			 Type Quantity (kg) 
			 Cocaine 1,519.3 
			 Crack cocaine 13.9 
			 Heroin 420.4 
			 Herbal cannabis 13,596.9 
			 Cannabis resin 15,343.6 
			 Amphetamines 137.3 
			 Please note the following caveats: 1. Drugs can be seized in a variety of forms or preparation types. In this table quantities of drugs have been converted to kg. To present all seized quantities within a given drug type in terms of one comparable unit, conversion factors are applied to estimate the overall quantity of the drug. 2. Quantities data for all drugs are not applicable as conversion factors are not applied to all drugs. 3. Where the quantity of a seizure is recorded as 'trace' it is not included in these figures. 4. Includes data from HM Revenue and Customs. Seizures from joint operations involving the UKBA and the police are recorded against the lead agency that takes possession of the seized drugs. 5. Weighted items are presented to one decimal place.

Drugs: UK Border Agency

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ecstasy tablets the UK Border Agency seized in the first six months of 2011.

Damian Green: The latest drug seizure statistics that have been produced in accordance with the Home Office's Statement of Compliance are contained within the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, ‘Seizures of drugs in England and Wales, 2010/11’, published on 10 November 2011, accessed via the following link:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb1711/hosb1711?view=Binary
	The UK Border Agency seized 300 ecstasy tablets in the period from 1 April 2010 until 31 March 2011.

Drugs: Young People

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Education on the role of personal, social and health education in preventing young people abusing drugs and alcohol.

James Brokenshire: My officials are in continuous dialogue with their colleagues in the Department for Education about drugs education and the important part that it plays in contributing to the drugs strategy and in particular the reducing demand strand. Drug education is also a subject covered by the Drug Strategy Inter-Ministerial Group upon which Minsters from both the Home Office, Department for Education and other Departments sit.
	The continuing discussions at official level also cover the imminent cross-Government Alcohol Strategy, which will address the full range of harms from alcohol (both health and social impacts) and which is due to be published in 2012 by the Department of Health.

Extradition: Russia

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the Russian Federation is listed as a Category 2 territory with respect to extradition procedures.

Damian Green: The UK and Russia are both party to the 1957 Council of Europe Convention on Extradition (‘ECE'). As with other parties to the ECE, Russia has been designated as an extradition partner under Part 2 of the Extradition Act 2003.

Extradition: USA

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2011, Official Report, column 864W, on extradition: USA, for what reason it would prejudice proceedings were the UK to confirm or deny whether the UK authorities have provided evidence or other formal assistance in support of foreign criminal proceedings.

Damian Green: It is established international practice that formal requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal proceedings are confidential. This is in order to protect the confidentiality of the foreign proceedings, for example by protecting the confidentiality of any witnesses who may be asked to provide or who have already provided evidence in those proceedings and to avoid tipping off suspects that they are under investigation. It is our usual policy to neither confirm nor deny whether we have received a request for mutual legal assistance because if we only refused to confirm or deny the existence of a request on occasions where the foreign criminal proceeding would be prejudiced then it would be obvious, on those occasions, that we had in fact received such a request. Therefore the application of a blanket policy preserves the confidentiality of all formal requests for mutual legal assistance.

Forced Marriage

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most common countries of origin are of victims of forced marriages.

Jeremy Browne: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
	In 2010, the highest proportion of cases reported to the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) involved victims with a family connection to Pakistan (52%), Bangladesh (10.3%) or India (8.6%).

Foreign Nationals: Offenders

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will publish her Department's report on foreign national offenders awaiting deportation.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency's report on foreign national offenders is a restricted internal document to Ministers and in line with long standing practice is not intended for publication.
	The UK Border Agency chief executive's update to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 20 December 2011 provided information on this cohort of foreign national offenders. A copy of the letter can be found in the House Library.

Forensic Science Service

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether forensic science exhibits related to criminal cases are to be transferred to the National Forensics Archive after the closure of the Forensic Science Service; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Case files and retained materials will continue to be held in the Forensic Science Service (FSS) Archive, which will operate after March 2012 from the two existing FSS archive sites in the west midlands.

Forensic Science Service

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the place of forensic science within her research strategy.

James Brokenshire: To date, I have had no such discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr Willetts).
	Officials from the Home Office are in contact with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) all of which are executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Forensic Science Service: Drugs

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect on (a) the future of drug profiling and (b) Dart-MS technology of the closure of the Forensic Science Service.

James Brokenshire: Other forensic service providers have the capability to meet the drug profiling and toxicology requirements of the National Forensic Framework Agreement and will continue to deliver these services to police forces.
	In addition, for drug profiling, provisions are also being put in place to ensure that the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) has access to the equipment required to deliver the Endorse project. This will be delivered by UK forensics providers as well as European partners.
	In respect of Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS), as set out in the answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Equalities and Criminal Information, the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone), of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 237W, this is not stipulated in any of the work packages of the National Forensic Framework Agreement, and information on this is therefore not held centrally.

Human Trafficking

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons she has decided to discontinue the production and publication of a human trafficking strategy jointly with the Scottish Government.

Damian Green: The UK Government's Human Trafficking strategy was published on 19 July 2011 and sets out the UK's response to fighting human trafficking.
	The strategy reflects the UK's intention to work with international partners and to work smarter at the border to prevent traffickers from entering the UK. The strategy also sets out the new victim care arrangements introduced in England and Wales from 1 July 2011. Similar victim care arrangements are already in place in Scotland.

Human Trafficking: Moldova

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the extent of human trafficking between Moldova and the UK.

Damian Green: Data from the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) for the period 1 April 2009 to 30 June 2011 show there have been five referrals where the potential trafficking victim has been identified as Moldovan. A breakdown of referrals to the UKHTC can be found at:
	http://www.soca.gov.uk/about-soca/about-the-ukhtc/national-referral-mechanism/statistics

Human Trafficking: Prosecutions

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people charged with offences related to human trafficking in the last 12 months have subsequently been prosecuted.

Damian Green: 30 persons were proceeded against at magistrates courts in 2010 (latest available) for human trafficking offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004. These figures relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Charging data are not collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice. Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring of 2012.

Human Trafficking: Sexual Offences

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of the level of trafficking in the UK for the purposes of (a) sexual exploitation, (b) forced labour and (c) domestic servitude.

Damian Green: The UK Human Trafficking Centre is responsible for collating data on potential human trafficking victims. A breakdown of referrals by exploitation type can be found at:
	http://www.soca.gov.uk/about-soca/about-the-ukhtc/national-referral-mechanism/statistics

Human Trafficking: Sexual Offences

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been charged with (a) trafficking of women prostitute offences and (b) controlling sex workers in the London area since 1 January 2010.

Damian Green: Charging data are not collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice.
	Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring of 2012.

Human Trafficking: Victims

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people (a) in each age group and (b) of each nationality and country of origin had been identified as victims of trafficking in the latest period for which figures are available.

Damian Green: The UK Human Trafficking Centre is responsible for collating data on potential human trafficking victims. A breakdown of referrals by age and nationality can be found at:
	http://www.soca.gov.uk/about-soca/about-the-ukhtc/national-referral-mechanism/statistics

Illegal Immigrants

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 July 2011, Official Report, column 458W, on illegal immigrants, how many overstayers have been identified by e-border checks in each of the first nine months of 2011; and how many of those overstayers have now been removed.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency (UKBA) conducts regular data matching exercises between e-Borders and other UKBA databases to effectively identify outbound offenders who have left the country. These figures are denoted in our internal reports as voluntary departures (data matching) removals.
	The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Voluntary departures (data matching) identified and removed, January to September 2011 
			 Month Individuals removed 
			 January 555 
			 February 364 
			 March 196 
			 April 400 
			 May 404 
			 June 438 
			 July 339 
			 August 440 
			 September 414 
			 Total 3,550 
			 Notes: 1. All figures quoted are management information which has been subject to internal quality checks. 2. Figures include dependants. 3. Figures relate to people who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities, who were later identified using data matching. (4 )In line with UK Border Agency methodology the number of outbound cases identified via e-Borders checks as overstayers/immigration offenders, will be the same as those removed. 
		
	
	While the majority of individuals identified in the table above will have been overstayers, a small number will have committed other immigration and criminal offences. We are unable to disaggregate this data within cost threshold.

Illegal Immigrants: Northern Ireland

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on the number of people who were detained while trying to enter the UK illegally through (a) Northern Ireland ports and airports and (b) the border with the Irish Republic in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The Department holds the following information on how many people were detained while trying to enter the UK illegally through (a) Northern Ireland ports and (b) the border with the Irish Republic in each of the last five years.
	(a) 2007—51, 2008—83, 2009—39, 2010—33 and 2011—30.
	(b) In 2009, we detained 37 people close to the land border in support of a Police Service of Northern Ireland operation. As the Irish/UK land border is a part of the common travel area (CTA), it is not subject to formal immigration controls.

Immigrants: Detainees

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2011, Official Report, columns 776-77W, on immigrants: detainees, how many of the detainees have subsequently been released from immigration removal centres into the UK; and for what reasons;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2011, Official Report, columns 776-77W, on immigrants: detainees, how many detainees held in immigration removal centres have been convicted of criminal offences in the UK; and for what offences.

Damian Green: holding answer 20 December 2011
	Of the 74 individuals detained for more than 24-months referred to in the Immigration Statistics April-June 2011, as of 16 December 2011, six individuals have been removed from the UK and 36 have been released from detention. Management information systems are unable to provide the reasons for release from detention. To obtain this information would involve looking through individual files and would incur disproportionate cost.
	Of the 74 individuals detained for more than 24-months referred to in the Immigration Statistics April-June 2011, all 74 had been convicted of a criminal offence in the UK. The following table sets out the offences for which they were convicted.
	
		
			 Offence type Number of individuals convicted 
			 Drug offences 10 
			 Motoring offences 4 
			 Violent crime 6 
			 Sex offences 7 
			 Deception 25 
			 Theft/Robbery/Burglary 17 
			 Other 5

Immigration

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average processing time for indefinite leave to remain was on (a) 1 October 2011 and (b) in each of the last five years.

Damian Green: The average processing time for postal claims made for indefinite leave to remain is as follows:
	
		
			  Days 
			 2006 60 
			 2007 91 
			 2008 102 
			 2009 139 
		
	
	
		
			 2010 117 
			 1 January 2011-30 September 2011 74 
		
	
	All figures quoted are management information which have been subject to internal quality checks.
	The UK Border Agency also operate a premium service through their Public Enquiry Offices but this is not reflected in these figures.

Immigration

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will list the (a) ports, (b) airports and (c) other immigration facilities visited by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship between May 2010 and the end of October 2011; and on what date each such visit took place.

Damian Green: Home Office Ministers have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Immigration

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is her policy to prioritise consideration of valid in-time applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) over other applications for ILR.

Damian Green: There is no prioritisation of valid in time applications over any other valid applications for indefinite leave to remain. Cases are allocated and decided in order of application date unless an applicant provides suitably compelling or compassionate reasons for a case to be expedited.

Immigration

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outstanding immigration cases there are currently in the UK Border Agency-controlled archive which are not being reviewed and on which a decision has not been reached.

Damian Green: holding answer 20 December 2011
	As reported to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 15 December 2011 we have conducted a detailed analysis of all the cases that could potentially fall into the remit of the CAAU and this will result in a total of 93,000 cases in the controlled archive.
	The controlled archive is actively managed by CAAU; all cases are regularly checked against a number of databases and where an applicant is traced the case is removed from the controlled archive and progressed to conclusion.
	CAAU will reassess files every six months. This will include bulk checking cases against reporting data and other UK Border Agency databases to see whether applicants have re-established contact and bulk checking cases against e-borders data.

Immigration

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the effects of the changes in immigration rules in 2007 and 2011 on the number of (a) overseas senior care workers in the UK, (b) senior care workers who have left the UK and (c) senior care workers granted indefinite leave to remain.

Damian Green: An impact assessment on the effects of the changes made to tiers 1 and 2 of the points-based system in connection with implementation of limits on migration was published by the UK Border Agency on 16 March 2011 and included an assessment of the impact of those changes on the employment of non-EEA workers in the social care sector.

Immigration Controls

Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) senior officials in her Department have had with (i) airport operators and (ii) airline companies at which border checks were discussed in the last 12 months.

Damian Green: holding answer 15 November 2011
	Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Immobilisation of Vehicles

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to section 30 of the Coalition Agreement, what recent progress she has made in tackling rogue private sector wheel clampers.

Lynne Featherstone: Clause 54 of the Protection of Freedoms Bill will make it an offence to immobilise, move or restrict the movement of a vehicle without lawful authority. In effect, this will ban most clamping and towing by anyone other than the police, local authorities, bailiffs and other Government agencies. Subject to parliamentary approval, this legislation is expected to be enacted by May 2012. Our aim is to bring the ban on wheel clamping into force as soon as possible following Royal Assent.

Legal Advice and Assistance

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on obtaining external legal advice in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Damian Green: The amounts spent on external legal advice by the Home Office, including its executive agencies for each of the last 12 months is provided in the following table. This expenditure relates to legal advice provided by third party suppliers external to Government.
	
		
			 £ 
			  Spend HO and UKBA CRB IPS 
			 December 2010 239,163 0 114,059 
			 January 2011 2,196,728 0 35,523 
		
	
	
		
			 February 2011 798,852 0 101,327 
			 March 2011 2,822,002 0 53,411 
			 April 2011 1,265,863 0 788 
			 May 2011 404,935 0 0 
			 June 2011 893,873 0 17,665 
			 July 2011 904,918 0 7,621 
			 August 2011 762,297 0 13,559 
			 September 2011 511,198 0 0 
			 October 2011 1,292,948 0 13,036 
			 November 2011 1,808,653 0 5,311

Legal Services

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Government Legal Service are based in her Department.

Damian Green: There are 59 members of the Government Legal Service based in the Department. This includes 54 lawyers in the Legal Adviser's Branch (four of whom are on maternity leave) and five lawyers in the UK Border Agency's Cash Forfeiture team. The Government Equalities Office, which has been part of the Department since 1 April 2011, receives legal advice from eight members of the Government Legal Service which is part of the Treasury Solicitor's Department.

Members: Correspondence

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when she plans to respond to the letters from the hon. Member for Weaver Vale of (a) 8 April 2011 and (b) 30 June 2011 on behalf of Mr Paul Blakeman;
	(2)  when the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice plans to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Weaver Vale of 8 April 2011 and 30 June 2011 on behalf of a constituent, Mr Paul Blakeman.

Nick Herbert: I refer my hon. Friend to my response of 20 December, a copy of which I will place in the Library.

Members: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will arrange for the hon. Member for Walsall North to receive a reply to her letter of 15 November 2011 to the UK Border Agency concerning a constituent, reference B29310/11.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency replied to the hon. Member on 13 December 2011.

Members: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the UK Border Agency to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 21 November 2011 concerning a constituent, reference B30111/11.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency replied to the hon. Member on 20 December 2011.

Metropolitan Police

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the images held by the Association of Chief Police Officers and transferred to the Metropolitan police were subsequently erased as a result of non-compliance with the ruling in Wood vs MPC for the policing of the metropolis.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold this information. The National Domestic Extremism Unit regularly reviews its database to ensure compliance with the ruling in Wood v. MPC.

National Policing Improvement Agency

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by the National Policing Improvement Agency on the UK’s compliance with EU Council Framework Decision 2009/905/JHA; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: A Forensic Quality Standards Project has been set up within the National Policing Improvement Agency’s (NPIA) Forensics 21 portfolio to assist police forces with the accreditation process mandated by the EU Council Framework Decision 2009/905/JHA.
	Police forces are progressing towards the implementation deadlines, with eight forces having already submitted their applications to the accreditation body, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), in order to commence their accreditation processes.
	Police forces have been surveyed as part of this process and the information gained will be used to assist the roll-out process in achieving accreditation to the ISO 17025 standard in DNA facilities and fingerprint enhancement laboratories by the implementation deadlines of November 2013 and November 2015. This approach has received the endorsement and backing of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the forensic science regulator.

Non-molestation Orders

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many arrests for offences of contempt of court where the offence related to a breach of a non-molestation injunction order there were in each year since 2004;
	(2)  how many arrests for offences related to breaches of non-molestation injunction orders there were in each year since 2004.

Lynne Featherstone: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers arrests for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, broken down at a main offence group level, covering categories such as violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery. From these centrally reported categories it is not possible to separately identify offences relating to breaches of non-molestation orders. Offences of contempt of court are summary offences and do not form a part of the arrests collection.

Offenders: EU Nationals

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-UK EU citizens from each member state were (a) arrested, (b) charged and (c) convicted under each type of offence committed inside the UK in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 15 November 2011
	The information requested is not available centrally.
	Arrests data for England and Wales collected by the Home Office do not include the nationality of arrested persons.
	Data on charges are not collected centrally.
	The Ministry of Justice's court proceedings database holds information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. This database holds information on offences provided by the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not the specific circumstances of each case. It is not possible to identify a defendant's nationality from this centrally held information.
	The collection of police and court proceedings data for Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.

Offensive Behaviour: Football

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the Scottish Government on cross-border issues arising from implementation of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act.

James Brokenshire: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has had no discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the Scottish Government on cross border issues arising from implementation of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act.

Police

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions she has had discussions with chief police officers since 6 August 2011; and whether she has received correspondence from chief police officers regarding the police budget since that date.

Nick Herbert: h olding answer 7 September 2011
	Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Police

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  which police forces (a) she and (b) each Minister in her Department has visited since January 2011;
	(2)  when (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department met the (i) Constables' Central Committee, (ii) Sergeants' Central Committee, (iii) Inspectors' Central Committee and (iv) Chairman and General Secretary of the Police Federation of England and Wales between May 2010 and 31 October 2011;
	(3)  when (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department formally met representatives of the Police Superintendents Association of England and Wales between 10 May 2010 and 31 October 2011.

Nick Herbert: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Police and Crime Commissioners

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources she plans to provide for (a) publicity and (b) measures to encourage a diverse range of candidates in respect of the positions of Police and Crime Commissioners; and what estimate she has made of the total cost to the public purse of such resources.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 15 December 2011
	On 21 November I issued a call for candidates from all backgrounds and launched a website containing information about this new role. Funding for this engagement will come from existing budgets.

Police Federation

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  on what dates she met officials from the Police Federation in the last 12 months;
	(2)  on how many occasions she has met representatives of the Police Federation in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Nick Herbert: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Police Stations: Medway

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the use of virtual police stations in the Medway towns.

Nick Herbert: The use of video technology by Kent police is making justice quicker and more effective, freeing up valuable police time and resources to enable them to carry out their frontline duties.

Police: Bureaucracy

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department has taken to reduce the burden of administration for the police.

Nick Herbert: We have announced a package of policies that will cut police bureaucracy, saving up to 3.3 million police hours per year—the equivalent of over 1,500 police officers. This work is being taken forward by the joint Home Office and Association of Chief Police Officers Reducing Bureaucracy Programme Board, chaired by Chief Constable Chris Sims.

Police: Bureaucracy

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of time on average (a) all officers and (b) patrol officers spent (i) on (A) incident and (B) non-incident-related paperwork and (ii) on patrol in each year since 2003-04.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office has not collected data on the time spent by police officers on paperwork since 2007-08. It is therefore not possible to provide the data requested.

Police: Manpower

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sex offender management staff were employed by police authorities in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011.

Nick Herbert: This information is not published.

Police: Olympic Games 2012

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when she last met her counterpart in the Scottish Government to discuss mutual aid in policing for the London 2012 Olympics;
	(2)  how many police officers from Scottish police forces will be deployed in England under mutual aid arrangements for the London 2012 Olympics.

James Brokenshire: The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has not met the Scottish Government to discuss the provision of police mutual aid for the London 2012 Olympic Games. These are operational policing matters and, while detailed planning continues, the final resource requirements will not be confirmed until early this year. It is anticipated that a small number of Olympic venue forces are likely to require a level of additional support, under mutual aid arrangements.
	Requests for mutual aid will be co-ordinated through the Association of Chief Police Officers, Police National Information and Co-ordination Centre (ACPO PNICC) in England and Wales and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Scottish Police Information Co-ordination Centre (ACPOS SPICC). It is expected that most police forces across the UK, including Scottish forces, will be asked to supply resources and PNICC, together with SPICC will ensure that resource requests are proportionate to the relative size and capacity of the providing force.

Police: Surveillance

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2011, Official Report, column 500W, on police: surveillance, whether elected police commissioners will have the power to authorise the use of covert techniques under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Nick Herbert: No.

Police: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with Ministers in the Welsh Government on the formation of Policing and Crime Panels in Wales to scrutinise the work of elected Police and Crime Commissioners.

Nick Herbert: Home Office and Welsh Government Ministers and senior officials have discussed police reform as a whole and will continue to do so where necessary. The Home Office's Police and Crime Commissioner Transition Programme includes a specific project tasked with maintaining a strategic overview of the implementation of the police reform agenda in Wales including the establishment of police and crime panels. Membership of this board includes both Home Office and Welsh Government officials as well as a range of other key Welsh partners.

Post Codes

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department uses postcodes for purposes other than the postage of mail.

Damian Green: Postcodes provided as part of the passport application process are used by the Identity and Passport Service to assist with workflow management, demographic market research and in managing the integrity of the passport issuing process.
	Postcodes are held on UK Border Agency systems that are used to generate statistical information at the local authority level on supported asylum seekers.
	The Criminal Records Bureau uses postcodes for a range of operational functions, including validating a person's identity and identifying repeat applications.

Prevent Strategy

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responsibilities in respect of the Prevent Strategy have been transferred from her Department to the Department for Communities and Local Government since 7 June 2011.

James Brokenshire: There has been no transfer of responsibilities in respect of the Prevent Strategy from the Home Office to the Department of Communities and Local Government since that date.

Prevent Strategy

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms she has put in place to ensure co-operation between her Department and the Department for Communities and Local Government on the Prevent Strategy.

James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues and my officials work closely with officials in the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). DCLG are members of the Prevent Sub Board which oversees the delivery of the Prevent Strategy.

Prevent Strategy

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding allocated to the Prevent Strategy has been transferred from her Department to the Department for Communities and Local Government during financial year 2011-12; and what such funding will be transferred in financial year 2012-13.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has not transferred any funding related to the Prevent strategy to the Department for Communities and Local Government this financial year. We are not aware that any transfer of Prevent funding is planned for 2012-13.

Smuggling: Tobacco

Sarah Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on the tackling tobacco smuggling strategy in 2009-10.

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency deployed an estimated 1,504 full-time equivalent staff to the tobacco strategy in 2009-10, assigned to detection and intelligence duties. Further and more detailed information on expenditure is not available. Investigation and the provision of legal advice in relation to tobacco smuggling remained the responsibility of HM Revenue and Customs.

Smuggling: Tobacco

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department has taken to combat the distribution of counterfeit cigarettes in (a) Leicester and (b) the east midlands.

Chloe Smith: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Treasury.
	The Government are committed to tackling the illicit trade in non-UK duty paid cigarettes and in April 2011 published a comprehensive new strategy for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the UK Border Agency (UKBA): “Tackling Tobacco Smuggling—building on our success”. It is available online at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/news/tackling-tobacco.htm
	This is a risk-based, intelligence-led strategy which is applied across the UK, including in Leicestershire and the east midlands. Domestically, HMRC works in collaboration with other enforcement agencies to maximise impact using the full range of powers and sanctions available, and to develop and apply joined-up approaches to localised problems of illicit activity.

Social Justice Committee

Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings of the Social Justice Committee she has attended since its establishment.

Damian Green: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Statisticians

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many statisticians (a) her Department employs and (b) are seconded to her Department by the Office for National Statistics.

Damian Green: As at 19 December 2011, the Home Office employed 17 professional statistical staff ranging from the Chief Statistician to Statistical Officers. In addition, the Home Office's Chief Scientific Adviser is also a statistician. One professional member of statistical staff is additionally employed in each of the Government Equalities Office and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
	No professional statistical staff are on loan to the Home Office from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Three social researchers are, however, currently on loan to the Home Office Statistics Unit as part of preparations for the British Crime Survey moving to ONS in April 2012.

Theft: Metals

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the provisions of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 in deterring metal theft.

James Brokenshire: We believe that regulation of the scrap metal industry is not effective and that the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 needs to be revised. The Home Office is discussing with other Departments what legislative changes are necessary to assist enforcement agencies and deter offenders. We are also working with the Association of Chief Police Officers to establish a dedicated metal theft taskforce.

Tobacco: Japan

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in her Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

Damian Green: Information on hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers is published regularly and can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/non-personal-data/hospitality-business-expenses/

Vetting

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to introduce annual subscription fees for volunteers who undergo portable Criminal Records Bureau checks.

Lynne Featherstone: We are committed to reducing the barriers to volunteering and regular Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks will remain free of charge for volunteers. The decision on whether volunteers will have to pay for the new on-line service is still under consideration.

Vetting: Third Sector

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans her Department has to introduce charges for Criminal Records Bureau and vetting and barring checks for volunteers in the charitable sector.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 20 December 2011
	We are committed to reducing the barriers to volunteering and regular Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks will remain free of charge for volunteers. The decision on whether volunteers will have to pay for the new on-line service is still under consideration.

Victims: Gender Recognition

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many transgender murder victims there have been in each of the last five years.

Lynne Featherstone: The requested information is not collected centrally.
	Tackling hate crime is an issue the Government take very seriously, and we are committed to doing more to support and protect victims.
	We are meeting the coalition commitment to improve the recording of such crimes, and working with the police and other partners to encourage more victims to come forward. In line with this commitment, information on whether the offence was motivated by the victim being transgender will be collected via the Homicide Index from April 2012.
	Further information on Government plans relating to transgender equality can be found in the Home Office publication ‘Advancing transgender equality: a plan for action’ at the following link:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/equalities/lgbt-equality-publications/transgender-action-plan?view=Binary

Visas

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of renewing a UK visa which had been lost or stolen in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009, (e) 2010 and (f) 2011.

Damian Green: The cost of obtaining a replacement UK visa due to a lost or stolen passport would vary, depending on what type of visa had been granted in the first instance.
	Applicants overseas are required to reapply and pay the appropriate fee to obtain a new visa. Applicants in the UK may make a transfer of conditions application. The current fee for a transfer of conditions application is £216.
	The UK Border Agency has published details on fees, including the indicative unit cost for each application type for the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Fees Regulations.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when she plans to answer Question 80509 on border controls, tabled on 8 November 2011 for named day answer on 14 November 2011;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Halton, on 7 November 2011, Official Report, column 54, whether (a) other Ministers in her Department, (b) the Permanent Secretary in her Department and (c) any officials and special advisers in the Minister's private office knew that border controls had been relaxed.

Damian Green: holding answers 14 November 2011 and 5 December 2011
	I refer the hon. Gentleman to the evidence provided to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 8 November 2011.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to answer question 77339, tabled on 25 October 2011 for answer on 27 October 2011, on departmental procurement.

Damian Green: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 19 December 2011, Official Report, columns 922-3W.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what outcomes he has specified for contractors under the Higher Apprenticeship Fund.

John Hayes: The aim of the Higher Apprenticeship Fund is to create sustainable Higher Apprenticeship places that are based on employer demand, involve education and business partnerships and that are accessible to all, especially small employers.
	The National Apprenticeship Service is currently agreeing contracts with successful organisations who will be contracted to support one or more of the following:
	1. Increase employer engagement with key large employers and the small and medium-sized enterprises in their supply chains and sub sectors.
	2. Build training provider capacity and capability to deliver high quality Higher Apprenticeships.
	3. Accelerate development of Apprenticeship Frameworks where demand is proven.
	4. Create accessible programmes that address sectoral gender and ethnicity imbalances.
	Through investing in capacity and infrastructure, the fund will initially create approximately 19,000 additional Higher Apprenticeship places.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has asked the National Security Council to discuss the arms trade treaty.

Mark Prisk: No.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what contribution his Department has made to policy development on including small arms, light weapons and ammunition within the terms of the arms trade treaty.

Mark Prisk: Officials from this Department have been, and continue to be, actively engaged in supporting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on all aspects of arms trade treaty policy development and strategy including on the potential scope of the treaty.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department provides (a) training and (b) detailed briefings on the arms trade treaty to staff working in overseas posts; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the treaty is raised in all relevant bilateral meetings.

Mark Prisk: Officials from this Department participate in a range of outreach activities organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as part of a cross-Whitehall team. The responsibility for briefing staff in overseas posts would be for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to arrange.
	Officials from the Export Control Organisation have taken the opportunity to discuss the arms trade treaty with their international counterparts during a range of meetings on broader issues with which they are involved.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which representatives from his Department have attended each of the UN Preparatory Committee meetings for the international arms trade treaty; and which representatives from his Department will attend the meeting in February 2012.

Mark Prisk: None.

Arms Trade

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department is taking to ensure that negotiations for an arms trade treaty in 2012 include representatives from civil society and non-governmental organisations.

Mark Prisk: This would be a matter for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who have overall Government responsibility for the negotiations on the arms trade treaty.

Billing

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) companies and (b) the public sector make timely payment of invoices to small businesses.

Edward Davey: Transforming the long-standing culture of late payment requires a multi-faceted strategy to engage and educate business. Key steps we are taking in respect of companies are:
	encouraging big business to pay according to agreed terms through the Prompt Payment Code (www.promptpayment code.org.uk) and by supporting businesses to better manage customer relationships through the Institute of Credit Management's Managing Cash Flow Guides (www.credit management.org.uk/bisguides.htm)
	sponsoring a ‘get paid day' within our wider campaign supporting ‘finance fitness'
	Government are also supporting businesses to manage cash flow by ensuring they pays their own bills on time:
	establishing the public sector as a payment exemplar with a commitment that central Departments pay 80% of invoices within five days and that main suppliers must pay contractors within 30 days. BIS achieved 95.5% in November 2011.
	Additionally, the Government are preparing for the transposition of the recast EU late payment directive into UK law by 16 March 2013. The directive essentially mirrors current UK legislation.

Business

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the cost to business resulting from the commencement of the Bribery Act 2011 have been (a) subject to the Regulatory Policy Committee's impact assessment validation process and (b) included in the Second Statement of New Regulation.

Kenneth Clarke: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Justice.
	The consideration of the impact of the legislation (the Bribery Bill) that received Royal Assent as the Bribery Act in April 2010 (a) pre-dated the establishment of the Regulatory Policy Committee and (b) did not fall within the scope of the Second Statement of New Regulation. An impact assessment was published by the then Secretary of State for Justice upon the introduction of the Bribery Bill in November 2009.

Business: Loans

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2011, Official Report, column 293W, on banks: loans, if he will have such discussions.

Edward Davey: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), is not currently planning to hold such discussions. The Joint Money Laundering Steering Group, an industry association, produces guidance on how financial services firms should interpret rules on identity checks, as set out in the UK money laundering regulations.

Conditions of Employment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to protect workers' employment rights.

Edward Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is leading a cross-Government review into all aspects of employment-related law that will last the length of this Parliament. Our aim is to ensure that the balance between business confidence, economic growth and fairness to employees is right. Making employers more confident about taking on new staff will lead to a healthier labour market and more jobs for employees. We are not in the business of removing important protections. In fact, we plan to reform the law to help people juggle their commitments at work with their responsibilities at home. We are also reviewing our compliance and enforcement arrangements to see if there is scope to make them more efficient and effective.

Conditions of Employment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department has taken to protect the rights of workers who are faced with redundancy; and whether he plans to change such rights.

Edward Davey: No new regulations in relation to redundancy are currently planned. However, on 23 November 2011 we launched a Call for Evidence on the operation of the rules on collective redundancy consultation, to establish whether changes are needed. Any change prompted by the call for evidence would aim to establish a regime that balances the need for business flexibility with fair treatment for employees. This would need to take into account the impact on employees, both in terms of morale (as a result of long periods of time between the end of consultation and redundancies taking effect) and in relation to access to future employment or training. After the Call for Evidence closes on 31 January 2012, we will carefully consider the responses received and formally consult on any recommendations for change that we consider necessary.

Conditions of Employment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the level of protection for the labour force; and what information his Department holds on the level of protection afforded to the labour force in other EU member states.

Edward Davey: A key driver of the UK's strong performance is the flexibility of our labour market. The labour market, like other markets, needs a framework of rules and, as with other European Union member states, those rules have to comply with minimum standards agreed in Europe. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the UK has one of the most efficient labour markets among developed countries. But we can do more and through the Red Tape Challenge we are giving the public an opportunity to comment on how EU legislation has been implemented in the UK, so that we can review any instances of 'gold-plating', where the UK has gone beyond the minimum required by EU legislation.

Copyright: Electronic Publishing

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to protect authors' rights from the risk of piracy relating to (a) e-books and (b) other digital technology.

Edward Davey: The Government remain committed to implementation of the online infringement of copyright provisions within the Digital Economy Act, 2010, which will benefit publishers and authors of e-Books as well as other producers of digital material.
	The Department is also working with industry to look at other ways in which sites dedicated to making copyright material available illegally can be made less attractive and more difficult to find inadvertently. This work includes facilitating cooperation between rights holder and online service providers, while ensuring that consumers are treated fairly and can be assured that they are acting within the law.
	We are also working to make access to enforcement mechanisms for intellectual property cases easier and cheaper through reforms to the Patents County Court.

Departmental Manpower

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff posts have been removed in his Department since June 2010; in which areas; what assessment he has made of the effect of the removal of posts on his Department's policy areas; whether any policy areas within his Department were exempt from the removal of posts; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has reduced the number of staff on its payroll by 611 since June 2010. This has been accompanied by an organisational restructure. Alongside the restructure the Department has undertaken change and building capability programmes. These have focused on increasing effectiveness by enabling the Department to operate in a way that is more flexible, skilled, innovative, focused on priority activities, connected and open. While challenging, the changes have been delivered with no significant diminution of performance in terms of policy development or service to Ministers. The staff reductions and restructure apply to the Department, excluding agencies and UK Trade and Investment.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2011, Official Report, columns 816-7W, on Third Sector, for what reasons (a) Tate Britain, (b) the National Foundation for Education, (c) the Royal Anniversary Trust and (d) Natural England received funding from his Department in 2010-11 but not in 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

David Willetts: The payments to the organisations in 2010-11 were made under programmes which were either time-limited or which do not attract funding on an annual basis and which were directly financed by the Department. The figures for 2011-12 represent allocations to date. The relevant organisations will still be eligible in some cases to make proposals for funding to our partner organisations.

Economics, Strategy and Better Regulation Directorate

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding over £100,000 his Department's Economics, Strategy and Better Regulation Directorate allocated to partner organisations in 2010-11; how much it plans to allocate to partner organisations in 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: The Economics, Strategy and Better Regulation Group (ESBR) was formed in 2011/12 and therefore did not allocate any resources to partner organisations in 2010/11.
	The group ESBR have a single partner organisation, the Local Better Regulation Office. In the current financial year 2011/12, it was provided with a total budget of £3,254,000, £3,112,000 of which constituted direct grant in aid, broken down into £2,233,000 programme and £879,000 in administration. The remainder was non-cash provisions of £142,000, again broken down into £122,000 in administration non-cash and £20,000 in programme non-cash.

Green Investment Bank

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  when he expects borrowing powers to be granted to the Green Investment Bank;
	(2)  what his policy is on the borrowing powers for the Green Investment Bank.

Mark Prisk: The Green Investment Bank (GIB) is being capitalised to an extent that it will not need to borrow before 2015. The GIB will be given borrowing powers in 2015 subject to public sector net debt falling as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) and state aid approval having been granted. GIB borrowing will score against the national debt and controls will be needed so that GIB borrowing can be managed effectively. The level of borrowing will be considered in the future, taking into account investment opportunities and fiscal affordability.

Green Investment Bank

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Autumn Statement, what recent assessment he has made of the ability of the Green Investment Bank to facilitate the critical infrastructure investment originally planned for 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: Good progress is being made. We are on track for the Green Investment Bank to be operational in September 2012. Ahead of obtaining state aid approval for the Bank, the Government will invest in green infrastructure projects from April 2012, including up to £100 million in non-domestic energy efficiency and £100 million in smaller waste infrastructure projects.

Higher Education: Admissions

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department has carried out an impact assessment on the effects of any reduction of the Widening Participation Premium.

David Willetts: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is responsible for determining the level of funding made available through the Widening Participation Premium. In June, we asked HEFCE to consult on the operation of the teaching grant for 2013/14 and beyond. HEFCE will launch this consultation, early next year. We will confirm our priorities for teaching funding in future years, in the usual way, in the grant letter for the year.
	An Impact Assessment was published in June 2011 providing an analysis of the proposed changes in the Higher Education White Paper "Higher Education: Students at the Heart of the System". This Impact Assessment is available at:
	http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/hereform/all-documents/
	A separate impact assessment was not published for widening participation premium.

Local Enterprise Partnerships

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the operational capacity of local enterprise partnerships in 2011-12.

Mark Prisk: I undertake regular visits to local enterprise partnerships (LEP) across England and periodically review progress. I attended the Coventry and Warwickshire partnership's annual meeting in October.
	The 39th and most recent LEP only received approval to form, from myself and the Minister for Decentralisation and Cities, Department for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), on 21 December. LEPs now cover very nearly 100% of England in terms of both population and businesses. They are inevitably at different stages in their development, but have made good overall progress in the establishment of their priorities and early delivery against them, supported by initial seed-corn funding of £6 million from the BIS Capacity and Start-Up Funds.

Manufacturing Industries: Government Assistance

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to his Department's announcement of 6 December 2011 on the advanced manufacturing supply chain initiative, whether the offer of apprenticeships to young people will be a criterion for assessing bids for funding.

Mark Prisk: The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative aims to help existing UK supply chains grow and achieve world class standards while encouraging major new suppliers to come and manufacture here. The new fund will support innovative projects in established UK advanced manufacturing sectors and target newer growth areas where the UK is well placed to take a global lead. The competitive fund will invite applications this year. Further information on criteria, funding and other arrangements concerning the initiative will also be available this year.

Overseas Trade

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many UK exporters have received commercial export finance facilities through the Export Enterprise Finance Guarantee since it was established.

Mark Prisk: The Export Enterprise Finance Guarantee (ExEFG) was launched as a pilot in April 2011, as part of a menu of extra help for exporters which includes four schemes provided by the Exports Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD). To date, ExEFG has helped facilitate short term export finance facilities for six exporters, with total lending of £3.012 million.
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is conducting a joint review with the Exports Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) on the operation of the menu of products. The results of the review will be published in the second quarter of 2012.

Overseas Trade

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when his Department expects to publish a review of the first six months of operation of the Export Enterprise Finance Guarantee.

Mark Prisk: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is conducting a joint review with the Exports Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) on the operation of the menu of products for exporters announced in the Trade and Investment White Paper, including Export Enterprise Finance Guarantee (ExEFG). The results of the review will be published in the second quarter of 2012.

Public Houses

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have visited any (i) pubs and (ii) breweries as guests of pub companies since May 2010.

Edward Davey: No Ministers in the Department have visited any pubs or breweries as guests of pub companies since May 2010.

Public Houses

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which representatives of pub companies (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have met since May 2010; and what the date and location was of each such meeting.

Edward Davey: I am the only Minister in the Department to have had meetings with representatives of pub companies since May 2010. I have had the following meetings:
	
		
			 Date Minister Attendees Location 
			 16 February 2011 Edward Davey Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) BIS 
			 12 October 2011 Edward Davey Brigid Simmonds, British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA); Ralph Findlay (BBPA and Marston’s); Simon Townsend (Enterprise Inns); Roger Whiteside (Punch Taverns) BIS 
			 3 November 2011 Edward Davey Simon Longbottom (Greene King); Paul Wells (Independent Family Brewers of Britain and Charles Wells); Jonathan Neame (Shepherd Neame); Stuart Bateman (Bateman’s); William Lees-Jones (JW Lees); David Turner (Young’s) BIS 
			 1 December 2011 Edward Davey Brigid Simmonds, British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA); Ralph Findlay (BBPA and Marston’s) BIS

Public Houses

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has changed his policy on codes of practice in relation to pub companies from that which he stated at the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee on 20 July 2010; and for what reason any such change was made.

Edward Davey: I have always believed that action is necessary in this area. I have carefully considered what type of action was most appropriate and believe the policy set out on 24 November 2011 in the Government response to the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee's report on pub companies will deliver reforms that will make a real difference for licensees quickly and effectively.

Regional Growth Fund

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Regional Growth Fund.

Mark Prisk: The Regional Growth Fund has made conditional allocations to companies and organisations to the value of £1.4 billion. A further £1 billion will be invested over the course of the spending period and we are confident that the fund will support 500,000 jobs in total. At this very early stage in this programme it is expected to unlock £5 of private sector investment for every £1 of public sector funding invested.

Southampton Port

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Marine Management Office, (b) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (c) other stakeholders on the proposed redevelopment of the Port of Southampton; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Prisk: Neither I nor my officials have held discussions with the Marine Management Organisation on this matter. BIS officials have been in touch with officials from the Department for Transport and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to understand the nature of the issues that are affecting the proposed redevelopment at Southampton and the scope for possible solutions. These discussions are continuing.
	I welcome the proposed capacity enhancements at Southampton and other UK ports. Ports are a vital part of the UK's infrastructure, offering excellent connectivity and one of the lowest lead times to import in Europe. Continuing investment in deep water port capacity is needed to underpin both overseas trade and domestic growth and employment. As with any development, these investments needs to take place in accordance with legal requirements, including environmental protection, and in a manner that maintains fair competition.

Stamp Duties: Tax Avoidance

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what advice his Department provides to (a) small business estate agents and (b) other small businesses considering promoting the legal avoidance of stamp duty on property sales through company structures.

Mark Prisk: Small business estate agents can find an overview of the rules, regulation and general best practice estate agents must follow via the ‘Your Business Sector’ on the Business Link website at:
	www.businesslink.gov.uk
	website.
	The Department does not provide advice on tax related matters; however, we will direct any enquiries to the appropriate information on the Business Link website, developed by HMRC. This includes basic information on stamp duty, reliefs or exemptions and how to apply, alongside details of the stamp taxes helpline on the HMRC website.

Students: Loans

Nicholas Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the level of bad debts experienced by the Student Loans Company in each of the last five years.

John Hayes: The mortgage style and income contingent (IC) student loan debt written off by the Student Loans Company (SLC) in the last five years is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 £ million 
			  Financial year 
			  2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 
			 Total amount cancelled or written off during the financial year 5.5 7.6 28.7 16.7 15.8 
			 Because of death(1) 2.7 1.6 15.6 6.1 6.0 
			 Because of age 2.4 3.4 5.4 7.6 8.4 
			 Because of disability(1) 0.4 0.5 2.0 1.1 1.2 
			 Because of bankruptcy(2) (3)— 1.9 5.0 1.4 (3)— 
			 On completion of individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA)(2) (3)— 0.2 0.5 0.5 (3)— 
			 Trivial balances (3)— (3)— (3)— (3)— (3)— 
			 Other (3)— (3)— (3)— (3)— (3)— 
			 (1) The functionality for processing cancellations on IC loans due to death and disability was put in place in 2008-09. A number of such write-offs dating back to previous financial years have been processed and are included in the 2008-09 figures. (2) The functionality for processing write-offs due to bankruptcy and on completion of an Individual Voluntary Arrangement was put in place in 2007-08. A number of such write-offs dating back to previous financial years have been processed and are included in the 2008-09 figures. After July 2004 for Mortgage Style loans and September 2004 for Income-Contingent loans, student loans have not been written off as a result of the customer becoming bankrupt. From April 2010, all student loans are exempt from Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVA). The amount of loan written off in the table above for financial year 2006-07 to 2010-11 and 2010-11 for IVA, are for those customers who petitioned for their loans to be written off prior to the change in regulations. (3 )Nil or negligible. Note: Figures may not add to total due to rounding. Source: Student Loans Company (SLC) 
		
	
	Figures on loan amounts written off are published each year by the SLC in the National Statistics publication Student Loans for Higher Education in England. The publication includes separate figures for Income Contingent and Mortgage Style loans. The latest version of this publication can be found at following address:
	http://www.slc.co.uk/media/76986/slcsfr022011.pdf

Working Hours: EU Law

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the total annual cost to UK businesses of EU Working Time Regulations.

Edward Davey: The EU working time directive is given effect in the UK through the Working Time Regulations. At the time the regulations were amended in 2002, annual costs of compliance were estimated at £2.6 billion per annum.
	In 2007 when the amount of annual leave was extended by eight days (making the four weeks' minimum paid annual leave requirement of the directive additional to time off for UK bank and public holidays) the estimated annual policy cost of this increase in leave entitlement was between £3.3 and £4 billion. It was also estimated that employers would face an additional annual administrative cost of £43 million.
	Information obligations relating to the working time directive were estimated to amount to an administrative cost to business of £43.85 million per annum by the “Employment Law Admin Burdens Survey 2008”. All other costs referred to above have been estimated as applying across the whole economy rather than specific to the business sector.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 9 November 2011 concerning Ms H. Valentino.

Edward Davey: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
	my right hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr Willetts) responded to this letter on 20 December 2011.
	Letter form Mr Willetts, dated December 2011:
	Thank you for your letter of 9 November enclosing correspondence from your constituent, Valentino Hudhra, of Flat 1, Philips B, 2 Hope Road M14 5EW, about financial support for her travel to college costs. I apologise for the delay in replying.
	I do understand the concerns your constituent raises about the travel costs she has to incur to attend college. Unfortunately, as I do not know your constituent's age, or the name of the college she is attending, I can only reply in general terms.
	Regarding students aged between 16 to 19-year-olds in further education (FE) and training, local authorities have a statutory duty to make arrangements to ensure that young people can attend education. Legislation requires local authorities to publish a transport policy statement by the end of May each year. The statement should set out the arrangements that the local authority will make in the following academic year to help students of sixth form age access education or training. Those arrangements could include providing transport to and from college, or financial support to help with transport costs.
	If your constituent wishes to speak to someone in her local authority about their transport arrangements for students of sixth form age she should contact Simon Griffiths (s.griffiths@ manchester.gov.uk) or she can access their transport policy statement at:
	http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/891/school_transport/958/transport_policy_statements_for_students_in_further_education_aged_ 16-19/1
	The statement should clearly set out the local complaints and appeals process to follow if she is unhappy with the arrangements that have been made.

WOMEN AND EQUALITIES

Advertising: Education

Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what support she has given to the Media Smart programme; and how she plans to assess the value for money of that support.

Lynne Featherstone: The Government launched a teaching pack for primary schools on body image in conjunction with Media Smart in September 2011. Media Smart is funded entirely by donor companies and operates on a not-for-profit basis. It specialises in providing teaching resources to primary schools to help children's media literacy.
	The Government did not give any financial support to Media Smart to develop this teaching pack: Government officials in my department did provide advice to Media Smart regarding the development of materials and press support with the launch.
	An evaluation to determine the reach and effectiveness of the body image lesson is scheduled to be assessed in summer 2012 by Media Smart.

Barristers: Females

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the effect of the reduction of legal aid work on the number of women barristers entering the profession; and if she will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Women and Equalities, the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), meets regularly with ministerial colleagues, including the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), and others, in order to discuss matters of policy.
	Issues relating to legal aid reform are a matter for the Secretary of State for Justice, and the specific levels of representation within given practice areas at the Bar and the solicitors' profession are primarily the responsibility of the Bar and the Law Society, as is the need to ensure equality of opportunity in all areas of practice.

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what equality impact assessments she has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

Lynne Featherstone: The Home Office considers equality issues in exercising its functions, to comply with equality legislation and to ensure it understands how its activities will affect different people. It provides information about this consideration in various ways. In the specified period, this information was sometimes published in the form of an equality impact assessment, although there has never been a legal requirement to produce such a document. The Government Equalities Office published 11 such documents during the period. These are available on the Home Office website.

Equal Opportunities

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of which three professions open to both women and men have the (a) lowest and (b) highest representation of women.

Lynne Featherstone: All professions are open to both women and men. Of the 11 major professional occupations identified by the Standard Occupational Classification, women have the highest representation among teaching professionals, public service professionals, and librarians and related professionals. Women have the lowest representation among engineering professionals, information and communication technology professionals, and architects, town planners and surveyors.(1)
	(1) Source:
	Annual Population Survey, ONS, January to December 2010, UK.
	
		
			 Professional occupation Percentage of those employed who are female 
			 Science 42 
			 Engineering 7 
			 Information and Communication Technology 12 
			 Health 51 
			 Teaching 68 
			 Research 52 
			 Legal 43 
			 Business and Statistical 35 
			 Architects, Town Planners, Surveyors 14 
			 Public Service 58 
			 Librarians and Related 69 
			 Source: Annual Population Survey, ONS, January to December 2010, UK.

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Finance

John McDonnell: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2011, Official Report, column 836W to the hon. Member for North West Durham, on Government Equalities Office: Finance, what the budget allocation for the Equality and Human Rights Commission is in each financial year from 2011-12 to 2014-15; and what proportion of that budget will be allocated to the (a) administration budget and (b) programme budget in each year.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 12 December 2011
	Following the Government's spending review, we announced that we would be reducing the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) budget by over half, from £55 million in 2010-11 to £26 million in 2014-15.
	The current budget for 2011-12 is £48,827,000. This includes (a) an administration budget of £36,827,000 and (b) a programme budget of £9,900,000.
	The EHRC's budget allocation for 2012-13 and beyond has not been set. As is standard practice as part of the annual financial planning cycle, my officials are in discussion with the EHRC to agree its budget for 2012-13.

TRANSPORT

Community Transport

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how local communities can access the funds her Department has made available to promote community transport; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House on 8 December 2011, Official Report, columns 58-59WS.
	The funding will be distributed to 76 local authorities in England, outside London, by formula. This is a repeat of the Supporting Community Transport Fund announced in March 2011. As with the first payment, we would expect local authorities to work with their communities to help decide how best to use this funding.

Cooperatives

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps (a) her Department and (b) those bodies for which her Department is responsible are taking to mark UN Year of the Co-operative 2012; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: We will support the work of the Cabinet Office, the Mutuals Taskforce and Co-operatives UK to develop and take full advantage of opportunities to celebrate the achievements of co-operative organisations during the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.
	The Mutuals Taskforce has recently indicated it will play a co-ordinating role for Departments to support the international year, with Co-operatives UK leading the taskforce's work in this area.

Crossrail

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to section 30 of the coalition agreement, what recent progress she has made in supporting (a) Crossrail and (b) further electrification of the rail network.

Theresa Villiers: Great progress has been made on the Crossrail project this year. Tunnelling preparations are under way with the first tunnel portal now complete. The first tunnel boring machine is currently undergoing factory testing and full tunnelling is due to commence in spring 2012. A Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy to support this work has opened in Ilford, and welcomed its first students in the autumn.
	Enabling works are well under way at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street and Whitechapel. The excavation of the first Crossrail station at Canary Wharf is nearing completion. Major construction contracts have recently been awarded for Farringdon and Whitechapel stations.
	The Department has confirmed electrification of the Lancashire Triangle by 2016 and the Great Western Main Line between London, Oxford, Newbury, Bristol and Cardiff by 2017. More recently, the Department has supported Network Rail's procurement of major capital items such as National Grid connections and the High Output Plant that will lead to the efficient delivery of the programme and which have longer delivery times.
	The Autumn Statement announced support for North TransPennine electrification between York, Leeds and Manchester.

Departmental Correspondence

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many letters from hon. Members to each Minister in her Department have not received a response since May 2010.

Norman Baker: In the period May 2010 to 16 December 2011, the Department's Ministers received 16,974 items of correspondence from MPs. At 16 December, 1,083 letters of these had not yet received a response.
	This figure includes correspondence recently received, which is within the Department's target date for response. It excludes inter-departmental correspondence between Government Ministers, and correspondence which was transferred because it was more appropriate for another Department to respond.

Departmental Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2011, Official Report, columns 667-8W, on departmental written questions, what the question number is of each question for written answer answered after more than 30 sitting days.

Norman Baker: The Unique Identification Numbers of the questions are 16176, 16244, 17160, 19146, 19582, 24051, 24052, 24053, 24054, 25533, 32418, 32419, 35201, 37255, 37752, 46399, 46340, 46341, 46856, 46999, 47004, 47022, 49937, 49945, 56025, 61365,61367, 63964 and 75167.
	The Government have committed to providing the Procedure Committee with information relating to written parliamentary question performance on a sessional basis and will provide this information to the Committee at the end of the Session. Statistics relating to Government Departments' performance for the 2009-10 parliamentary Session were previously provided to the Committee and are available on the Parliament website.

Electrification: Greater London

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with (a) Network Rail and (b) Transport for London on electrification of the Barking to Gospel Oak section of the London Overground; and if she will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), has had no such discussions.

Invalid Vehicles: Accidents

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road traffic accidents involved a Pride Colt 8 mobility scooter in each of the last three years; and whether mechanical failure was a contributory fact in any such accident.

Norman Baker: No national statistics are recorded concerning accidents involving mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs. From 2013, the police will be able to record whether a mobility vehicle has been involved in an accident on the public highway.

Invalid Vehicles: Safety

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the (a) Pride Colt 8 mobility scooter and (b) other mobility scooters designed for road use are required to have width-indicating side lights.

Norman Baker: All Class 3 mobility vehicles (which includes the Pride Colt 8 model) are required to have a minimum of front direction lamp, direction indicators, hazard warning lights, two rear position lamps, rear retro reflectors if being used on the road. In addition they are required to have an amber warning beacon if being used on dual carriageways. There is no specific requirement for width indicating side lights.

Invalid Vehicles: Safety

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department has commissioned any independent safety checks on the Pride Colt 8 mobility scooter.

Norman Baker: The Department has not commissioned any safety checks on any model of mobility vehicle.

Network Rail: Level Crossings

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with Network Rail regarding level crossings.

Theresa Villiers: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), meets regularly with Network Rail to discuss a range of issues. Within the high level objectives set by the Secretary of State, operational decisions regarding the rail network including those relating to level crossings remain the responsibility of Network Rail.

Network Rail: Level Crossings

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department provides guidance to Network Rail on the maximum acceptable time for a level crossing to be closed to road traffic in any one (a) hour, (b) day and (c) night.

Theresa Villiers: The Department does not provide guidance to Network Rail on this issue and there is no legal restriction on the time that a level crossing can be closed to road traffic.
	However, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) does provide guidance to the rail industry on the operation of level crossings and on level crossing orders. Those orders can contain convenience or safety-related provisions for both road and rail level crossing users. The order making process is also managed by ORR.

Network Rail: Level Crossings

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department has taken, or has encouraged Network Rail to take, to improve safety at railway level crossings.

Theresa Villiers: Safety at level crossings is a matter for the relevant railway safety duty holder. These duty holders such as Network Rail have a legal obligation to reduce risks at level crossings so far as is reasonably practicable.
	It is the responsibility of the Office of Rail Regulation to monitor that railway duty holders meet those obligations, and to take enforcement action to secure improvements as necessary. Additionally, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has also investigated a number of previous level crossing incidents and directed recommendations to improve safety to Network Rail.
	The current level safety crossing record is consistently one of the best in Europe and 2010-11 saw the least fatalities at level crossings in the last decade. In view of that record and the robust industry safety framework under which level cross risk is managed, we do not consider additional intervention from the Department is needed.

Ports: Greater London

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the National Infrastructure Plan, what the total planned public expenditure on the development of London Gateway Port Terminal is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project.

Bob Neill: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	There is no planned public expenditure on the London Gateway port terminal in the years 2011-17. DP World announced on 4 October 2011 that the port will open in the 4th quarter of 2013.

Railway Stations: Greater London

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans she has to increase the number of stations on the London Liverpool Street to Enfield Town line with ticketing barriers; and if she will make a statement.

Norman Baker: The Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening), has no plans to increase the number of stations on the London Liverpool Street to Enfield Town line with ticketing barriers. This is a matter for the train operator if a business case to install gates can be made.

Railway Stations: Manpower

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2011, Official Report, column 422W, on railway stations: manpower, if she will (a) collect the information requested on employment of station staff and (b) place a copy of the information in the Library.

Theresa Villiers: There are no plans to collect this information.

Railways: East Anglia

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the potential effects of reduction in the fleet size arising from the awarding of the Greater Anglia franchise on train services on the (a) London Liverpool Street to Enfield Town line and (b) Brimsdown to London King's Cross line; and if she will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: Abellio, the new operator of the Greater Anglia franchise, presented plans in its bid for the franchise to operate the required train service through the daily deployment of 232 four-car electric multiple units (EMUs) out of a total fleet size of 251 units. The incumbent operator deploys 236 out of a fleet of 260 units to run the same train service.
	Abellio has identified a small number of individual train services that are operating today with capacity significantly in excess of the forecast passenger loadings and on which the number of carriages can therefore be reduced. Some of these services are in the 'West Anglia Inner' service group.
	This is exactly the sort of efficiency initiative that is needed to drive down the cost of operation of our railway network.

Railways: East Anglia

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the potential effects on (a) the timetabling of and (b) potential overcrowding on trains as a result of the decision to reduce the fleet size on the new Greater Anglia franchise; and if she will make a statement.

Theresa Villiers: The timetable will not change in the new Greater Anglia franchise so a timetable assessment of the fleet size was not necessary. The operator will have a fleet size which is smaller than the current National Express East Anglia franchise. This will not mean that overcrowding is materially worse than it is today. Where a customer is currently able to find a seat, they will continue to be able to do so.

River Thames: Bridges

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding she has allocated to new river crossings in London.

Theresa Villiers: The Government will work with the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) to explore options for a river crossing at Silvertown. The Department for Transport already allocates a Transport Grant to Transport for London to support investment in London's transport network. Under devolution it is for the Mayor and TfL to determine transport spending priorities in London.

Severn Bridges Act 1992

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had on bringing forward proposals to amend the Severn Bridges Act 1992 to increase tolls according to the consumer prices index.

Michael Penning: The Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Justine Greening), has had no discussions on amending the Severn Bridges Act to increase tolls according to the consumer price index.

Transport: Planned Public Expenditure

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the National Infrastructure Plan, 
	(1)  what the (a) total planned public expenditure and (b) estimated month and year of completion is for the Leeds Inner Relief Road Maintenance;
	(2)  what the (a) total planned public expenditure and (b) estimated month and year of completion is for Elmbridge Transport (Gloucester);
	(3)  what the (a) total planned public expenditure and (b) estimated month and year of completion is for Darlaston (Walsall);
	(4)  what the (a) total planned public expenditure and (b) estimated month and year of completion is for the Croxley Rail Link (Watford);
	(5)  what the (a) total planned public expenditure and (b) estimated month and year of completion is for the Loughborough Town Centre Transport Scheme.

Norman Baker: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Scheme Planned total public expenditure (£ million) Estimated completion date 
			 Leeds Inner Relief Road Maintenance 25.0 November 2014 
			 Elmbridge Transport (Gloucester) 15.1 June 2015 
			 Darlaston (Walsall) 24.9 June 2015 
			 Croxley Rail Link (Watford) 112.4 January 2016 
			 Loughborough Town Centre Transport Scheme 16.3 March 2015 
		
	
	The total public expenditure figures include the planned contributions from the Department for Transport, the local authority promoters and any other public sector bodies.
	Funding for these schemes was announced on 14 December 2011. Details of these and the other local authority major transport schemes announced on the same day are available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-major-transport-scheme-decisions
	Scheme costs in the published table may include private sector contributions and therefore may not match the above figures.

Transport: Planned Public Expenditure

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what the total planned public expenditure is on the North Fringe to Hengrove bus rapid transit system in Bristol; and in which month of which year she expects it to be completed;
	(2)  what the total planned public expenditure is on the Morpeth Northern Bypass; and in which month of which year she expects it to be completed;
	(3)  what the total planned public expenditure is on the Luton Town Centre Transport Scheme; and in which month of which year she expects it to be completed;
	(4)  what the total planned public expenditure is on the Norwich Northern Distributor Road; and in which month of which year she expects it to be completed;
	(5)  what the total planned public expenditure is on the Nottingham Ring Road; and in which month of which year she expects it to be completed.

Norman Baker: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Scheme Planned total public expenditure (£ million) Estimated completion date 
			 North Fringe to Hengrove Bus Rapid Transit 78.9 December 2016 
			 Morpeth Northern Bypass 21.1 October 2015 
			 Luton Town Centre Transport Scheme 17.2 August 2014 
			 Norwich Northern Distributor Road 111.1 March 2017 
			 Nottingham Ring Road 16.0 September 2015 
		
	
	The total public expenditure figures include the planned contributions from the Department for Transport, the local authority promoters and any other public sector bodies.
	Funding for these schemes was announced on 14 December 2011. Details of these and the other local authority major transport schemes announced on the same day are available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-major-transport-scheme-decisions
	Scheme costs in the published table may include private sector contributions and therefore may not match the above figures.

Transport: Planned Public Expenditure

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the National Infrastructure Plan, 
	(1)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Luton Town Centre Transport scheme is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(2)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Loughborough Town Centre Transport scheme is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(3)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Leeds Inner Relief Road maintenance is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(4)  what the total planned public expenditure on Elmbridge Transport (Gloucester) is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(5)  what the total planned public expenditure on Darlaston (Walsall) is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(6)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Croxley Rail Link (Watford) is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(7)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Coventry-Nuneaton Rail Upgrade is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(8)  what the total planned public expenditure on Chester Road (Birmingham) is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(9)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Camborne-Poole-Redruth Transport Package is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(10)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Beverley Integrated Transport Plan is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(11)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Bath Transportation Package is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(12)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Hucknall town centre improvement scheme is in the financial year (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17 and beyond; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(13)  what the total planned public expenditure on the London Road Bridge in Derby is in the financial year (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17 and beyond; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(14)  what the total planned public expenditure on the A45 westbound bridge (Solihull) is in the financial year (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17 and beyond; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(15)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Worcester Transport Strategy is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(16)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Weston Package is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(17)  what the total planned public expenditure on the South Yorkshire Bus Rapid Transit Phase 1 (Sheffield/Rotherham) scheme is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(18)  what the total planned public expenditure on for the Pennine Reach (East Lancashire Rapid Transit) scheme is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17 and beyond; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(19)  what the total planned public expenditure on Evesham Bridge Maintenance is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17 and beyond; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(20)  what the total planned public expenditure on for the Kingskerwell Bypass (Devon/Torbay) is in the financial year (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17 and beyond; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(21)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Nottingham Ring Road is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(22)  what the total planned public expenditure on for the Norwich Northern Distributor Road is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(23)  what the total planned public expenditure on the North Fringe to Hengrove Bus Rapid Transit (Bristol) scheme is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(24)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Morpeth Northern Bypass is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(25)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Northern Road Bridge in Portsmouth is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(26)  what the total planned public expenditure on the South Bristol Link phase 1 and 2 is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(27)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Bus Rapid Transit between Ashton Vale to Bristol Temple Meads is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(28)  what the total planned public expenditure on Supertram additional vehicles (Sheffield) is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(29)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Lincoln eastern bypass is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(30)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Leeds Rail Growth scheme is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(31)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Access York Park and Ride scheme is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(32)  what the total planned public expenditure on the A6182 White Rose Way Improvement scheme in Doncaster is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(33)  what the total planned public expenditure on the A18-A180 Link (North East Lincolnshire) is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(34)  what the total planned public expenditure on the A164 from Humber Bridge to Beverley is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(35)  what the total planned public expenditure for the A684 Bedale-Aiskew-Leeming Bar bypass is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(36)  what the total planned public expenditure for the Crewe Green Link southern section is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(37)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Manchester Cross City Bus is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(38)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Rochdale interchange is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(39)  what the total planned public expenditure on the A43 Corby link road is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(40)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Tipner Interchange in Portsmouth is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(41)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Sunderland Strategic Corridor is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project.

Norman Baker: The level of public expenditure per year on the schemes mentioned, as proposed by the local authorities, is as set out on the relevant Best and Final Funding Bid forms that they submitted. The forms are available through the following link:
	http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/interoperability/final-funding-bids.pdf
	For those schemes that the Government have now approved, the planned public expenditure is as proposed on the forms, with the following exceptions:
	The bids for A684 Bedale Aiskew and Leeming Bar ByPass and Manchester Cross City Bus included elements of contingency (or optimism bias) of £7.923 million and £11.272 million respectively which we do not consider to be planned expenditure.
	The estimated cost, and therefore the planned expenditure, for Morpeth Northern ByPass has been subsequently revised by the promoters to £30.105 million.
	A further private sector contribution of £0.432 million has been identified for the Worcester Integrated Transport Strategy, thereby reducing the planned public sector expenditure to £19.118 million.
	There may be additional elements of local authority expenditure on any of these schemes which were not included on the forms as they are outside the Department's definition of eligible scheme costs.

Transport: Planned Public Expenditure

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the National Infrastructure Plan, 
	(1)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Taunton Northern inner distributor road is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(2)  what the total planned public expenditure on the A57 M1 to Todwick Crossroads improvements on the A57 is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(3)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Heysham to M6 link road is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(4)  what the total planned public expenditure on the East of Exeter improvements to Junction 29 of the M5 is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(5)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Mansfield Public Transport Interchange is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(6)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Midland Metro extension is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(7)  what the total planned public expenditure on the Leeds Station southern access is in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15, (e) 2015-16 and (f) 2016-17; and what the estimated date of completion is of the project;
	(8)  what the (a) total planned public expenditure and (b) estimated month and year of completion is for the Ipswich Fit for the 21st Century scheme;
	(9)  what the (a) total planned public expenditure and (b) estimated month and year of completion is for the Thornton to Switch Island Link.

Norman Baker: The planned public expenditure, per annum, on the schemes mentioned, is as set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Planned public expenditure 
			 £ million 
			 Scheme name 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 
			 A57 M1 to Todwick Crossroads improvements — 7.1 7.7 — — — 
			 East of Exeter improvements 7.3 3.9 2.4 0.4 0.2 — 
			 Heysham to M6 link road 2.2 2.2 54.1 43.4 26.0 0.7 
			 Ipswich Fit for the 21st Century 1.4 9.6 9.2 0.7 — — 
			 Leeds Station southern access 1.0 0.5 11.7 1.2 — — 
			 Mansfield Public Transport Interchange 1.2 5.5 1.4 — — — 
			 Midland Metro extension 6.3 29.1 34.7 34.5 6.1 — 
			 Taunton Northern inner distributor road 0.2 8.9 6.4 1.1 — — 
			 Thornton to Switch Island Link 0.6 2.6 10.6 3.2 0.0 — 
		
	
	The figures in the table include the planned contributions from the Department for Transport, the local authority promoters and any other public sector bodies.
	There may be additional elements of local authority expenditure on these schemes which are not included in the table as they are outside the Department's definition of eligible scheme costs.

Transport: Weather

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are in place to deal with severe weather in the winter of 2011-12.

Norman Baker: The Department has been working with public and private sector organisations, across the various transport modes, to boost resilience and preparedness for winter weather.
	Salt stocks currently stand at over 2.7 million tonnes—a million more than last year—and all transport modes have refined and promoted their operational command and control procedures to improve their response to severe weather.
	Last month the Secretary of State for Transport, the right hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening), announced £16 million of investment in our rail infrastructure to help keep trains moving in snow and ice this winter, which is part of a £38 million industry spending programme to make sure the rail network is better prepared for severe bad weather this time. Network Rail and the train operating companies have also taken a number of steps to improve the implementation of contingency timetables, and the provision of information to passengers during disruption.
	Heathrow and Gatwick airports have made significant investments in additional snow and ice clearance capacity, and in staff numbers available for snow clearance, with Heathrow committing over £30 million to date and Gatwick investing £8 million .
	Severe cold weather will always cause some disruption but the actions taken will ensure that the country’s transport systems are better equipped to cope with them.

Underground Railways: Greater London

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she plans to allocate funding to the proposed extension of the Northern Line from Kennington to Nine Elms; and whether Transport for London and partner authorities will be able to borrow funds to fund the proposed extension.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport allocates a Transport Grant to Transport for London to support investment in London's transport network. However, under devolution it is for the Mayor and TfL, to determine transport spending priorities in London.
	The Government announced their support for the extension of the Northern line to Battersea on 29 November 2011, subject to commitment by April 2013 from a developer to contribute to and develop the site.
	To encourage a developer to step forward, and to support the delivery of the development the Government will consider allowing the Mayor and partner authorities to borrow against the Community Infrastructure Levy to support this scheme; and creating an additional enterprise zone at Battersea. Together these funding sources should be sufficient to meet the costs of the project.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Atos Healthcare

Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions where the trial for the deployment of Atos-approved health care professionals in benefit centres took place; how long the trial lasted; and how many Atos-approved health care professionals were deployed as part of the trial.

Chris Grayling: The trial for the deployment of Atos-approved health care professionals in benefit centres took place in 33 benefit centres between January and July 2011. During the trial, a locally appointed health care professional visited each of the benefit centres one day per week. The following sites were involved in the trial:
	England
	Barnsley
	Basildon
	Birkenhead
	Bolton
	Bradford
	Bristol
	Bury St Edmunds
	Canterbury
	Gloucester
	Halifax
	Hanley
	Hull
	Leeds
	Leicester
	Luton
	Newcastle
	Nottingham
	Preston
	Stockton
	Stratford
	Sunderland
	Totton
	Worcester
	Worthing
	Scotland
	Aberdeen
	Clyde and Fife
	Clydebank
	Coatbridge
	Glasgow
	Kilmarnock
	Wales
	Llanelli
	Merthyr Tydfil
	Wrexham.

Carers

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to increase support for unpaid carers.

Maria Miller: The Government recognise and appreciate the important role fulfilled by carers.
	Financial support for carers is provided through the social security benefits system. The main benefit available to carers is carer's allowance, which provides a measure of support for people who are unable to undertake full-time paid employment because of their caring responsibilities. With the introduction of the Welfare Reform Bill, the Government announced that carer's allowance will continue to exist as a separate benefit providing an independent income for carers and recognition of the role they play. Carer's allowance is currently paid at £55.55 a week. The rate of carer's allowance is increased annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
	In addition to carer's allowance, carers on low incomes can claim income-related benefits such as income support and pension credit. These benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate through the carer premium or the equivalent additional amount for carers respectively, both currently worth up to £31.00 a week.
	Personal independence payment is due to be introduced for working age recipients of disability living allowance from 2013 and will act as a gateway for carer's allowance. It is the Government's intention that both rates of the daily living component will be used as a gateway to carer's allowance. Both disability living allowance and carer's allowance will remain in payment until personal independence payment is assessed and put into payment if appropriate. This will maintain the existing awards of benefit until the assessment process is complete. Disability living allowance will remain a gateway for carer's allowance for people who are not working age.
	From 2013, we are introducing universal credit, an integrated benefit which will be payable whether or not people are in work. Above a disregard of earnings, the universal credit award will reduce gradually as earnings increase, due to the single earnings taper. The universal credit award will include a carer element which will continue for as long as the carer provides care for at least 35 hours per week for a severely disabled person. The carer element will continue to be included in the universal credit award when carer's allowance ceases because someone's earnings place them above the limit for carer's allowance, currently £100.00 a week net of certain expenses.
	The Department for Work and Pensions will continue to invest in supporting carers to return to work through Jobcentre Plus. The experience already gained allows Jobcentre Plus offices to be more flexible in adapting services to meet local needs and to allow them to work in partnership to meet these needs.
	Jobcentre Plus currently offers, on a voluntary basis, to all carers working less than 16 hours per week and irrespective of benefit status, subject to any existing conditionality, a variety of support, including; adviser support; access to the Flexible Support Fund; payment for replacement care, child care, travel and course costs to allow the carer to undertake approved activity or interviews with Jobcentre Plus, providers or employers; and Partnership Managers who gather local and national information to inform Jobcentre Plus advisers of the support and services available to carers.

Cold Weather Payments

Michael McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cold weather payment temperature recording stations in each constituency have changed location since May 2010.

Steve Webb: At the end of every winter, DWP conducts a review of the cold weather payment scheme. The review takes into account all the weather stations used to provide data to the Met Office in respect of the scheme, representations from Members of Parliament and the public about the suitability of weather station to postcode linkages and any changes made by Royal Mail to the postcode system.
	The Met Office as part of the review, provide expert advice and provide DWP with recommendations as to any necessary changes to linkages. These changes are then made to the scheme before the start of the next cold weather payment season.
	The number of weather stations that have changed location in each parliamentary constituency since May 2010 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Number 
			 Winter Postcode linkage changes Weather station to postcode changes within a constituency Constituencies affected 
			 2010-11 360 112 70 
			 2011-12 173 63 43 
			 Notes 1. The weather stations will cover areas outside of the parliamentary constituency. 2. Location changes may be due to either an MP request for the mapping to be looked at the Met Office changing linkages or weather station closures.

Departmental Manpower

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011.

Chris Grayling: Staffing levels in the Department for Work and Pensions are reported based on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) definitions which includes a standard reference point for reporting of the last day of the month. Figures are not therefore available for the dates requested but are available for 30 April 2010 and 30 September 2011—the latest published figure.
	The number of people working in the Department on 30 April 2010 was 119,099, and on 30 September 2011 this number was 102,415.

Departmental NDPBs

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding his Department provided to the (a) Pensions Advisory Service, (b) Pensions Regulator, (c) Pension Protection Fund and (d) Pensions Ombudsman in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: The information is in the following table:
	
		
			 Funding provided (£ million) 
			 Arm’s length body 2010-11 2011-12 
			 The Pensions Advisory Service 3.984 2.03 
			 The Pensions Regulator 33.272 31.20 
			 Pension Protection Fund 33.406 16.55 
			 Pensions Ombudsman 2.81 1.99 
			 Notes: 1. Data for 2010-11 are taken from the annual report and accounts of each arm’s length body for that year. Data for 2011-12 cover funding provided for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 December 2011. 2. Funding for The Pensions Advisory Service is recoverable through the General Levy charged to eligible pension schemes. 3. Funding for The Pensions Regulator is recoverable through the General Levy with the exception of resources provided by DWP for the auto enrolment employer compliance regime. In 2010-11 these resources totalled £7.963 million and for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 December 2011 £12.17 million. 4. Funding for the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is recoverable through levies charged to eligible pension schemes with the exception of resources provided by DWP for the Financial Assistance Scheme. In 2010-11 these resources totalled £10.745 million and for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 December 2011 £5.73 million. 5. Funding for the Pensions Ombudsman (PO) is recoverable through the General Levy. The PO is also the Pension Protection Fund Ombudsman (PPFO). The amounts shown above incorporate the costs of both functions. Funding for the PPFO totalled £0.131 million in 2010-11 and £0.06 million for the period 1 April 11 to 31 December 2011. PPFO funding is recoverable through a PPFO levy, which is not currently being charged.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

Chris Grayling: The Department categorises funded staff releases as either voluntary exit, voluntary redundancy or compulsory redundancy, and each category has its own unique terms and conditions.
	There were no voluntary or compulsory redundancies in the given period, however as part of its current Transformation programme, the Department has offered selective voluntary exits in line with the Civil Service Compensation Scheme rules. These resulted in the following aggregate payments to civil servants during the period:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 September 2011 0 
			 October 2011 2.35 
			 November 2011 0 
		
	
	These are pre-audit figures based on individual exit quotes provided by My Civil Service Pension. The numbers may be subject to minor adjustments once the Department receives the final invoice for transacting these exit payments.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many temporary staff were recruited to his Department between September and November 2011.

Chris Grayling: Temporary staff are defined by the Office for National Statistics as all staff with contracts, including fixed term, of less than 12 months.
	Between September and November 2011 345 temporary staff were recruited. Of these, 234 staff were recruited on fixed term appointments to fill essential posts in operational delivery areas. The remaining temporary recruits were largely taken on as part of the new DWP Apprenticeship programme.

Disability Living Allowance

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2011, Official Report, column 206W, on disability allowance, what the cost to the public purse was of severe disablement allowance payments due to a main disabling condition which falls under those ICD-10 diagnosis codes contained in the Department of Health's programme budgeting category 07A for chronic pain for each local authority area in the latest year for which figures are available.

Maria Miller: To categorise the disabling conditions of claimants for incapacity benefits, the Department uses its own Incapacity Reference Guide (IRG) which details those conditions most relevant for benefit claims. For the purposes of reporting and analysis, these IRG codes are mapped onto the ICD-10 codes at the three-digit level. However, in specifying categories for programme budgeting, the Department of Health uses ICD-10 codes at the four-digit level, which provides a more detailed classification of medical conditions. Therefore because the IRG classifies medical conditions using broader categories than the ICD-10 codes at four-digit level, it has not been possible to identify those claimants whose main disabling condition would be contained in category 07A.
	An example is shown as follows:
	ICD-10 three-digit category “R10 Abdominal and Pelvic Pain”. This contains five sub-categories
	R10.0 Acute abdomen
	R10.1 Pain localized to upper abdomen
	R10.2 Pelvic and perineal pain
	R10.3 Pain localized to other parts of lower abdomen
	R10.4 Other and unspecified abdominal pain
	of which four (excluding R10.0) are included in programme budgeting category 07A.
	The IRG provides a subdivision of “abdominal and pelvic pain” into abdominal pain, colic (abdominal or intestinal), colic (other), Gastralgia, and pain in abdomen. It is not possible to identify separately Acute abdomen, which would be necessary in order to match the sub-categories required for the Department of Health’s programme budgeting.
	In general, because of the different methods of grouping, it is not always possible to accurately extract the cases to match with those in the Department of Health's programme budgeting categories.

Disability Living Allowance: Autism

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to his Department was of disability living allowance assessments in the last year for which figures are available; and what estimate he has made of the cost of conducting personal independence payment reassessments for those with complex needs, such as those with autism.

Maria Miller: holding answer 22 November 2011
	The cost of assessments in support of claims for disability living allowance (DLA) in the last financial year (2010-11) was £14.046 million. These costs were solely for the charges incurred for the provision of evidence from ATOS Healthcare and GP's and do not include costs incurred from processing applications.
	My Department has published estimates for personal independence payment assessment services ranging between £300 million to £500 million over three years for the purpose of a competitive tender published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). This would include all new applications and re-assessments for those claimants who are of working age including those with autism.

Disability Living Allowance: Children

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many households in England claim disability living allowance on behalf of a child aged two;
	(2)  how many households in England claim disability living allowance on behalf of a child aged two years and are eligible for free school meals;
	(3)  how many in-work households in England claim disability living allowance on behalf of a child aged two years and are in receipt of tax credits;
	(4)  how many out-of-work households in England claim disability living allowance on behalf of a child aged two years and are in receipt of child tax credit.

Maria Miller: Disability living allowance is a non means-tested benefit, eligibility for tax credits or free school meals is not relevant when determining a claim and therefore this information is not recorded.
	Such information as is available is contained in the following table.
	
		
			 Children aged two in receipt of disability living allowance, May 2011 
			  Number 
			 Aged two 8,800 
			 Notes: 1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures do not include people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example, if they are in hospital. 3. A diagnosed medical condition does not mean that someone is automatically entitled to DLA. Entitlement is dependent on an assessment of how much help someone needs with personal care and/or mobility because of their disability. These statistics are only collected for administrative purposes. 4. DLA is awarded to individuals, not at a household level. Caseloads given are number of claims in payment with respect to two-year-olds. Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate 100%WPLS.

Disability Living Allowance: Prisoners

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has received any reports of prisoners claiming (a) disability living allowance and (b) cold weather payments whilst in custody.

Maria Miller: I have not received any such reports.
	Prisoners retain an underlying entitlement to DLA, but they are disqualified from receiving any payment of benefit. People who are held in legal custody as a result of a conviction for a criminal offence are required to inform the Department as soon as possible and failure to inform the Department may lead to recoverable overpayments of DLA.
	The cold weather payment scheme is a fully automated service and payments are made to eligible people by the benefits computer systems when a period of severe cold weather triggers. Payments are not therefore made as a result of a claim as prisoners are disqualified from receiving payment of any benefit. Consequently there are no reports of prisoners claiming cold weather payments while serving a custodial sentence.

Electrical Safety

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were (a) killed and (b) seriously injured in circumstances attributable to unsafe electrical fittings in a workplace in each of the last four years.

Chris Grayling: The information is not available at the level of detail requested. The following table provides statistics on injuries to workers involving contact with electricity or electrical discharge reported under the reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences regulations between 2007-08 to 2010-11.
	
		
			 Severity of injury Employment status 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 (1) 
			 Fatal injuries Employee 9 4 3 6 
			  Self-employed 1 3 1 1 
			  Workers (Total) 10 7 4 7 
			       
			 Non-fatal major injuries Employee 83 93 75 89 
			  Self-employed 4 6 11 12 
			  Workers (Total) 87 99 86 101 
			 (1) The data for 2010-11 are provisional at this time.

Employment and Support Allowance

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many decisions on applications for employment support allowance were (a) turned down, (b) appealed against and (c) upheld on appeal in each month since the work capability assessment was introduced.

Chris Grayling: The Department regularly publishes statistics on the employment and support allowance (ESA) work capability assessment. The latest report covers new claimants to ESA to February 2011 (the latest data available) and can be found here:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_wca
	Table 1 in the above publication shows that for all ESA claims started between October 2008 and February 2011, 574,800 (38%) were assessed to be Fit for Work at initial assessment.
	Table 3 presents data on ESA claims where the person claiming has been assessed as Fit for Work, they subsequently appeal the Department's decision and the appeal has been heard by the Tribunals Service. It shows that for the 462,100 ESA claims starting between October 2008 and August 2010 (the latest month where sufficient volumes of appeals have been heard to publish) which were assessed as fit to work at the initial assessment there were 181,900 appeals heard (39% of fit for work assessments). This does not include appeals which have not yet been heard.
	Of these appeals 112,200 (62%) concluded in favour of the Department such that the original decision was upheld.

Employment Schemes

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria are to be used to determine suitable employment for Mandatory Work Activity.

Chris Grayling: Mandatory Work Activity is delivered by contracted providers and they have responsibility for sourcing placements across a range of sectors. The placements will last for four weeks and will usually be for 30 hours per week. Placements will take account of agreed restrictions that a claimant might have on their jobseeker's agreement (JSAg).
	The Department is not specifying what the nature of each placement should be, but does expect that every placement will be additional to existing or planned vacancies and offer people the opportunity to gain fundamental work disciplines, as well as being of benefit to local communities.

Employment Schemes

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether Work programme providers are paid a fee (a) for referring a person to Mandatory Work Activity (MWA) and (b) in respect of each person (i) attending and (ii) completing MWA; and how much the fee is in each case.

Chris Grayling: Mandatory Work Activity (MWA) is not available to Work programme participants, and only Jobcentre Plus advisers can refer an individual to the provision. There is therefore no question of payments being made to Work programme providers for referrals, nor for people attending and completing MWA.

Employment Schemes

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants have been referred from (a) employment support allowance and (b) jobseeker's allowance to Work Choice since its introduction in October 2010 in (i) Edinburgh, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the UK.

Maria Miller: The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish official statistics on referrals to Work Choice in spring 2012. These timescales take account of the newness of the provision and the length of time it will take for sustained job outcomes to be realised.

Employment: Young People

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to ensure the Youth Contract supports young people with (a) autism and (b) disabilities to access employment.

Chris Grayling: We are committed to ensuring that people with a health condition or a disability have the same employment opportunities and chances as everyone else to find and stay in paid employment and this will apply within the delivery of the Youth Contract, including Wage Incentives.
	In addition, disabled claimants may be able to access a range of specialist employment provision including:
	Early access to the Work programme. The referral process will give harder to help groups, such as disabled people, access to the personalised, individual support at the appropriate stage in their claim. Disabled people who have been claiming jobseeker’s allowance for three months will have the opportunity to volunteer for early access to the Work programme to ensure they receive it within a time scale that is most appropriate to them.
	Work Choice began in October 2010. It provides tailored support to help disabled people who face the most complex barriers find and stay in work and ultimately help them progress into unsupported employment, where it is appropriate for the individual. Work Choice is voluntary and available regardless of any benefits being claimed.
	Access to Work provides practical advice and financial support to employed disabled people above and beyond what the employer could reasonably provide, to help them overcome obstacles resulting from disability.
	Disability Employment Advisers are also available to provide specialist support to people facing employment challenges because of a health condition or disability and Work Psychologists work with both claimants and advisers to help improve employment outcome.

Future Jobs Fund

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which employers in (a) the East Midlands and (b) Leicester City have participated in the Future Job Fund programme.

Chris Grayling: The Department does not hold records of the individual organisations that provided temporary placements through the Future Jobs Fund (FJF). Bids for FJF funding were submitted on a regional or national basis. The Lead Accountable Bodies who were successful in receiving FJF awards in the East Midlands region are listed as follows:
	Healthy hub
	Leicestershire Partnership—NHS East Midlands
	West Lindsey Council
	Community Enterprise Derby
	Erewash District Council
	Bolsover District Council
	First Movement
	Northampton Enterprise
	Asian Women's Project
	Nottingham City Council
	Stride Sharp Trading Leicester/Stride
	Leicester City Council—Leicester and Leicestershire Partnership
	Groundwork Lincolnshire
	Enable
	Action Deafness
	Lincolnshire Dance
	NACRO—(as part of a national bid)
	Places for People—(as part of a national bid)
	Groundwork—(as part of a national bid)
	Salvation Army—(as part of a national bid)
	Royal Society of Wildlife Trust—(as part of a national bid)
	Football League Trust—(as part of a national bid)
	Action for Children—(as part of a national bid)
	Novas Scarman—(as part of a national bid)
	Artswork(ENYAN)—(as part of a national bid)
	3SC—(as part of a national bid)
	CSV—(as part of a national bid)
	Sustrans—(as part of a national bid)
	Aspire Foundation—(as part of a national bid)
	Creative and Cultural Skills—(as part of a national bid)
	National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau—(as part of a national bid)
	National Association of Clubs for Young People—(as part of a national bid)
	National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure—(as part of a national bid)
	National Trust—(as part of a national bid)
	Ixions/New Deal of the Mind—(as part of a national bid)
	Russell Commission Implementation Body (v-inspired)—(as part of a national bid)

Housing Benefit: Females

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2011, Official Report, column 761W, on housing benefit: females, how many women his Department estimates will be affected by the changes; and what the average weekly change in income will be.

Steve Webb: The following table sets out estimates of the numbers of people in Wales affected by the following LHA reforms:
	setting LHA rates at the 30th percentile of Private Rented Sector (PRS) rents;
	restricting LHA levels to the four-bedroom rate and applying maximum weekly caps;
	increasing the Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR) age threshold to 35.
	The table includes estimates of the average weekly financial loss per loser. The figures are based on an estimated caseload of 48,710.
	
		
			  Number affected Average loss per loser (£) 
			 30th percentile(1) 43,270 -8 
			 Four-bedroom rate and maximum weekly caps(2) 200 -34 
			 Shared Accommodation Rate(3) 3,080 -24 
			 (1) Table 16 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/impacts-of-hb-proposals.pdf (2) Table 20 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/impacts-of-hb-proposals.pdf (3) Annex 2, Table 1 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/eia-hb-shared-accommodation-age-threshold.pdf 
		
	
	The published impact documents do not give separate figures for females, either the number affected in Wales or the average loss. However the following table gives an estimate of the breakdown by household type of those affected by the measures at a national level.
	
		
			 Percentage 
			  Household type 
			  Single female Single male Couple 
			 30th percentile(1) 47 30 22 
			 Four-bedroom rate and maximum weekly caps(2) 50 19 31 
			 Shared Accommodation Rate(3) 28 72 n/a 
			 (1) Table 25 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/lha-eia-nov10.pdf (2) Table 15 and Table 20 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/lha-eia-nov10.pdf (3) Table 2 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/eia-hb-shared-accommodation-age-threshold.pdf Note: Figures may not sum to 100 owing to rounding.

Jobcentre Plus: Finance

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding Jobcentre Plus is to receive in order to deliver extra support for 18-24 year olds as part of the Youth Contract.

Chris Grayling: The Youth Contract builds on the support already available through Jobcentre Plus and the Work programme and is worth almost £1 billion over the next three years. The final cost of elements of the increased support through Jobcentre Plus such as weekly signing will be driven by the volume of claimants.

National Insurance Contributions

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what obligations employers participating in private financial benefits schemes have to ensure that National Insurance contributions are paid on a regular basis on behalf of their employees.

David Gauke: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Treasury.
	Under the terms of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, the Social Security Administration Act 1992 and the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001 employers are required to account to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs for both primary (employee) and secondary (employer) national insurance contributions in respect of the earnings received by their employees from their employment. This accounting must be undertaken on a monthly basis (quarterly basis for some employers) using the PAYE system.

New Enterprise Allowance

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether he has set a target for take-up of the new enterprise allowance by over 50s; and what the timescale is for any such target to be met;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of take-up of the new enterprise allowance (a) by over 50s and (b) in each region of the UK.

Chris Grayling: We have set no targets nor have we made estimates for the take up of the new enterprise allowance (NEA) by unemployed people aged over 50.
	We have made funding available for 40,000 NEA places over two years. The following table shows the projected breakdown of places by region.
	
		
			 Title: Projected breakdown of NEA places by region (1) 
			  Volumes (2011-12 to 2012-13) 
			 East 2,800 
			 East Midlands 2,600 
			 London 5,900 
			 North East 2,800 
			 North West 5,200 
			 Scotland 4,300 
			 South East 3,100 
			 South West 2,100 
			 Wales 2,100 
			 West Midlands 5,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 4,200 
			 Total 40,000 
			 (1) Numbers rounded to the nearest 100.

Pensions

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will take steps to encourage private pension providers to increase the level of annuities they offer;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the extent to which the annuity rates offered by private pension providers act as an incentive for people to save for their retirement.

Mark Hoban: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Treasury.
	Annuity rates are determined by the market and influenced by a number of factors. The Government do not prescribe the terms, conditions or price that insurance companies may set when offering annuity products. As a rule, insurers use their claims experience and other industry-wide statistics to assess the risks posed by an individual and set the terms and price at which they will offer an annuity.
	People approaching retirement can shop around by exercising the 'Open Market Option' to find the best income in retirement for their personal circumstances. A working group set up by the Government are examining how to encourage people to use the open market option. The Government will be announcing the outcome of this work in the spring.
	The Government also recognises the importance of encouraging people to save for retirement. The Government are introducing automatic enrolment as part of their Workplace Pension Reforms to tackle consumer inertia and increase the number of people saving for retirement.

Poverty: Children

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to alter the measure of child poverty contained within the Child Poverty Act 2010.

Maria Miller: The Government set out their approach to measuring child poverty in the child poverty strategy, published in April 2011 and available at:
	www.education.gov.uk/childpovertystrategy
	In this, the Government stated that we recognise the importance of the four income measures set out in the Act, but the strategy requires a broader approach, focused on measures that genuinely track changes and improvements in families' lives. Looking at income measures alone creates too narrow a focus and fails to address the root causes of poverty. That is why the strategy established a broader suite of indicators that capture family resources, family circumstances and children's life chances.

Sick Leave: Pain

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the number of working days lost as a result of chronic pain in England in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions does not have estimates of the number of working days lost as a result of chronic pain, although we estimate that up to 140 million days are lost to sickness absence in the GB as a whole. The recently published review by Dame Carol Black and David Frost “Health at work: an independent review of sickness absence”
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/health-at-work.pdf
	contains considerable up to date evidence on the health of the working age population and sickness absence.

Social Security Benefits: Gurkhas

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of former Gurkhas officials in his Department have dealt with as part of its joint work with the Gurkha Welfare Trust in Aldershot since 2009.

Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions works closely with the Gurkha Welfare Trust, including providing a weekly information and advice point staffed by DWP advisers at GWT’s Gurkha Welfare Centre in Aldershot. DWP advisers are also able to provide additional ad hoc advice sessions at the centre to meet demand. DWP advisers report seeing, on average, around 10-12 former Gurkhas per week. The Gurkha Welfare Centre also makes direct referrals to DWP Visiting for welfare benefit visits to former Gurkhas in the Aldershot area and across the UK.
	The Department’s benefit administrative systems do not record whether or not individuals claiming benefits are former Gurkhas and therefore the information on how many cases of former Gurkhas officials the Department have dealt with as part of its joint work with the Gurkha Welfare Trust in Aldershot since 2009 is not available.

Troubled Families Scheme: Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much of the funding for the Troubled Families scheme announced on 15 December 2011 will be spent in Wales.

Grant Shapps: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	As outlined in the written ministerial statement of 15 December 2011, Official Report, columns 110-111WS, this is an England-wide initiative. It is targeted at the Government's ambition to turn around the lives of 120,000 most troubled families in councils across England. Responsibility for dealing with families with multiple problems living in Wales, including the allocation of any funding, has been devolved to the Welsh Assembly.

Unemployment: Older Workers

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to reduce unemployment levels among those aged between 50 and 65.

Steve Webb: Jobcentre Plus treats jobseekers of all ages equally, and older jobseekers have the same access to a comprehensive menu of individually tailored help as those under 50 (apart from the specific options for jobseekers aged under 25). Support is tailored to the individual needs of each jobseeker, including help with work-related training and job-search support. Older jobseekers who are eligible can also access Get Britain Working measures, such as Work Clubs, Work Together, and the New Enterprise Allowance for individuals who are looking to become self-employed.
	The Work programme will also provide support for those who are more at risk of long-term unemployment. Work programme providers are free to innovate and design support based on the needs of individuals, and will be paid primarily for the results they achieve in supporting people into sustained employment. All jobseeker's allowance, employment and support allowance and pension credit claimants can access the Work programme at a time that is right for them.

Unemployment: Young People

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what organisations will be eligible to receive funding from his Department's Innovation Fund to support 16 and 17 year olds not in education, employment or training to enter an apprenticeship or employment with training.

Chris Grayling: Any organisation in the public, private, or voluntary sector is eligible to bid for the Innovation Fund, either as an investor, intermediary or as a delivery organisation within a social investment partnership.

Work Capability Assessments: Kilmarnock

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many residents of Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency aged (a) under 30, (b) 31 to 40, (c) 41 to 50 and (d) over 50 have been assessed by Atos Healthcare since it began undertaking medical assessments for his Department;
	(2)  how many residents of each postcode area in Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency have been assessed by Atos Healthcare since it began undertaking medical assessments for his Department;
	(3)  how many residents of Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency have been assessed by Atos Healthcare (a) in each of the last 12 months and (b) in each month since Atos began undertaking medical assessments for his Department.

Chris Grayling: The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Work Capability Assessments: Kilmarnock

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of Kilmarnock and Loudoun constituency who (a) have cerebral palsy, (b) have osteoporosis, (c) are registered blind, (d) have hearing impairment, (e) have multiple sclerosis, (f) have autistic spectrum disorders, (g) are carers, (h) have learning difficulties and (i) have mental health disorders have been assessed by Atos Healthcare since it began undertaking medical assessments for his Department; and what proportion of the total number of assessments undertaken by Atos each figure represents.

Chris Grayling: The information requested for employment and support allowance (ESA) is not available at parliamentary constituency level. Furthermore, any breakdowns by specific medical conditions to small geographical areas risk identification of individuals as the numbers in each category are likely to be very small.
	However, for ESA the Department has published information at a Great Britain level on the numbers and outcomes of initial work capability assessments by primary medical condition. The outcomes include the results of any appeals heard. The medical conditions are based on the International Classifications of Diseases, 10th Edition, published by the World Health Organisation. It is available at the following links:
	http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/2011/110919_med_cond.pdf
	http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/adhoc_analysis/2011/110906_wcaresultsbycondition_clean.xls
	The information requested for other benefits that Atos Healthcare undertake medical assessments for, such as disability living allowance and attendance allowance, is not routinely reported and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost to the Department.

Work Experience: Private Sector

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of businesses taking part in his Department's work experience scheme he expects to be in the private sector.

Chris Grayling: No formal estimates have been made with regards to the proportion of work experience places in the private sector. I would expect a majority of places to be in the private sector.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what equality impact assessments he has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

Mark Harper: The Cabinet Office considers equality issues in exercising its functions, to comply with equality legislation and to ensure it understands how its activities will affect different people. It provides information about this consideration in various ways. In the specified period, this information was sometimes published in the form of an equality impact assessment, although there has never been a legal requirement to produce such a document.
	The Constitution Group within the Cabinet Office has published two such documents during the period. This includes an Equality Impact Assessment for the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill which was published on 7 January 2011, and an Equality Impact Assessment for the draft Individual Electoral Registration legislation which was published on 30 June 2011. These are available on the Cabinet Office website.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will consider the merits of giving additional powers to the Electoral Commission to require under performing electoral registration officers to follow Government guidelines on electoral registration.

Mark Harper: The Government are considering how to ensure the electoral registration system operates in the best interests of voters. In this context we are considering means of ensuring adequate performance by Electoral Registration Officers, including the recommendation from the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee to give the Electoral Commission powers to intervene where Electoral Registration Officers fail to meet agreed performance standards. We will respond to the Committee's report in due course.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will consider the merits of additional ring-fenced funding for electoral activities resulting from new legislation.

Mark Harper: Under current arrangements, it is the responsibility of local authorities to allocate resources from the revenue support grant provided by central Government to fund electoral registration activities and any polls that they have the responsibility for funding. The Government are committed to funding any additional electoral registration and polling activity and in respect of electoral activities more generally, will ensure that Electoral Registration Officers and Returning Officers are resourced to carry out their duties.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on methods to ensure a full and reliable canvass in 2014.

Mark Harper: Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will carry out an amended canvass as part of the transition to Individual Electoral Registration in 2014. In 2014 registered electors on the electoral register will be sent a personally addressed application form inviting them to register under the new system. EROs will also send out household canvass forms to those properties where there are no registered electors, or where they believe that those on the register for that property are no longer present, This will help identify eligible electors who will then be individually invited to register under the new registration system.
	EROs will be obliged to chase non-responses to the individual invitations to apply to register and to the household canvass forms; this will include the use of door-to-door canvassers. This will help identify people who have not received an invitation to register and encourage those who have not applied to register to do so.

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the factors underlying the change in the number of unregistered voters between December 2010 and April 2011; and what steps he plans to take to reduce the number of unregistered voters.

Mark Harper: The Electoral Commission's research into the completeness and accuracy of the electoral registers in 2010 and 2011, confirms that the electoral register is at its most complete and accurate following the annual canvass when it is published in December. The greatest reason for the decline in completeness following the publication of the December register is people moving home. We are looking at how we can better help home movers to get on the electoral register in the right place as part of the move to Individual Electoral Registration.

Lobbying

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he plans to publish his proposed register of lobbyists.

Mark Harper: The Government have repeatedly emphasised the commitment made in the Coalition programme for government to bring greater transparency to lobbying by establishing a statutory register. We plan to bring forward proposals in the coming weeks.

EDUCATION

Academies: Bournemouth

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many secondary schools in Bournemouth (a) are considering applying to and (b) have applied to adopt academy status.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 1 December 2011
	As of 1 December 2011, three secondary schools in Bournemouth borough council have applied to convert to academy status, and all three have now converted. In addition, a special school (age range five to 16) applied to convert to academy status and received an academy order on 25 November. A further two secondary schools have registered an interest in applying to convert to academy status.
	Two secondary schools have become sponsored academies.
	Full details of schools that have formally applied for academy status, as well as a list of academies that have opened in the academic year 2010/11, can be found on the Department for Education academies website at:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/typesof schools/academies/a0069811/schools-submitting-applications-and-academies-that-have-opened-in-201011

Colleges

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education with reference to the Autumn Statement, what assessment he has made of the availability of capital support for sixth form colleges.

Nick Gibb: On 13 December 2011, the Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), announced the total capital allocation for 2012-13. This included £107 million of capital funding that would be available to meet maintenance and building needs of sixth form colleges and demographic pressures for new 16-19 places in schools, Academies and sixth form colleges.
	£59.1 million of this funding will be allocated to the sixth form college Building Condition Improvement Fund in 2012-13 to address priority building condition needs within the sixth form college sector.
	In addition £44 million will be available in the coming financial year for basic need funding for additional places for 16-19 year old students where there are demographic pressures in schools, Academies and sixth form colleges. This funding will also support the provision of new places in mainstream settings, including in FE colleges, for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
	The balance of the funding (£4 million) is Devolved Formula Capital (DFC) for sixth form colleges, repeating the investment introduced for sixth form colleges in 2011-12. In 2012-13 all sixth form colleges will remain eligible for DFC at a rate of £4000 per college plus £22.50 per student. This means the average allocation to a sixth form college will be in the region of £40,000. This funding is primarily for planned maintenance.

Co-operatives

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps (a) his Department and (b) those bodies for which his Department is responsible are taking to mark UN Year of the Co-operative 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Tim Loughton: The Department and those bodies for which it is responsible is not specifically marking the UN Year of the Co-operative 2012.

Departmental Advertising

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department has spent advertising (a) in total, (b) in newspapers and magazines, (c) on television and radio and (d) online since May 2010.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education (DfE) has approved a total of £66,678.71 on advertising since May 2010. These costs relate to recruitment advertising undertaken to fill DfE job vacancies or attract volunteers to act as expert advisors to the Department across key policy areas (non-salaried posts).
	The figures used in this response are taken from records of the exemption applications approved across the marketing and advertising spending controls. Final, actual spend is not recorded and to provide individual, actual costs for each post advertised would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.
	The recruitment activity included newspaper, sector/specialist magazine and online advertising. The cost breakdown against each media is not recorded.
	
		
			  £ 
			 Schools Bureaucracy Reduction Group—advert for new members 4,000 
			 Director of Communication recruitment advertising 10,068 
			 European Schools system recruitment 8,000 
			 Speechwriter recruitment advertising 1,570 
			 Chief Executive of the Standards and Testing Agency recruitment advertising 7,000 
			 Education Advisors—advert for new member 7,500 
			 Standards and testing agency recruitment of head of test development 2,000 
			 Standards and testing agency recruitment of two test development researcher posts 4,500 
			 Teaching Agency CEO recruitment advertising 5,750 
			 Education Funding Agency—Head of Capital recruitment advertising 12,965 
			 Head of News recruitment advertising 3,325.71 
		
	
	No paid-for television or radio advertising and no paid-for campaign advertising has been undertaken since May 2010.
	Costs for the last three years are as follows:
	
		
			 £ 
			  Total advertising spend Total newspapers  and  magazines Total television  and  radio Total online (includes search) 
			 2007/08 9,101,642 2,263,659 4,705,653 1,561,314 
			 2008/09 20,712,822 5,394,640 9,548,579 2,676,032 
			 2009/10 20,469,182 4,655,022 10,435,211 3,104,982

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what equality impact assessments his Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

Tim Loughton: A full list of the equality impact assessments published by the Department since May 2010 can be found on our website here:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/policiesandprocedures/equalityanddiversity/a0063621/equality-impact-assessments-carried-out-since-may-2010
	A hard copy of this information has been placed in the House Libraries.

Departmental Mobile Phones

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent on (a) the purchase of and (b) bills for (i) BlackBerrys and (ii) mobile telephones for (A) Ministers, (B) special advisers and (C) officials in his Department in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Tim Loughton: During the last 12 months between September 2010 to August 2011, the Department for Education spent the following on BlackBerry smartphones and mobile telephones (all costs exclude VAT):
	For (A) Ministers, the Department spent no money at all on the purchase of BlackBerrys and mobile telephones, reusing existing handsets as required. The total bill for BlackBerry usage was £1,209.65 and since no Ministers used departmental mobile phones in the period, there were no charges for their use.
	For (B) special advisers, the Department spent £204 on the purchase of one new BlackBerry and again reused existing handsets where necessary. The total bill for BlackBerry usage was £803.77 and since no special advisers used departmental mobile phones in the period, there were no charges for their use.
	For (C) officials in the Department (excluding Ministers and special advisers), £18,371.00 was spent on the procurement of 142 BlackBerrys and £2,285.00 for 25 mobile telephones. The total bill for their use was £240,513.81.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

Tim Loughton: None of the Ministers or special advisers in the Department for Education have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.
	The Department for Education publishes information about hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers on a quarterly basis. Information for the period 13 May 2010 to 30 June 2011 can be viewed on the Department's website via the following links:
	http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmentalinformation/transparency/b0065263/ministers-quarterly-returns
	http://www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/departmental information/transparency/a0065912/special-advisers-quarterly-returns
	Information for July to September 2011 will be published in due course.

Departmental Recruitment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011.

Tim Loughton: The Department has spent the following amounts on the provision of temporary staff via the two recruitment agencies with which it has a contract.
	
		
			  Spend (£) 
			 September 77,108.27 
			 October 78,713.38 
			 November 74,461.91 
			 December (1)44,239.70 
			 Total 274,452.26 
			 (1 )Further invoices are expected for December. 
		
	
	During this period the Department has not incurred any expenditure with a recruitment agency for the recruitment of permanent staff.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

Tim Loughton: The Department has not made any redundancy payments. However, it has funded a number of approved voluntary exits over the period. All compensation payments have been made in line with civil service compensation scheme rules and these payments are set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of staff Total amount of compensation paid (£) 
			 September 2011 6 227,186 
			 October 2011 Fewer than 5 149,996 
			 November 2011 7 419,537

Departmental Secondment

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what secondments there have been to his Department from (a) industry and (b) the third sector since May 2010; what the (i) purpose and (ii) duration is of each secondment; and whether each secondment was to a policy development role.

Tim Loughton: Since May 2010 there were fewer than five people seconded from the third sector into the Department. These lasted around 12 months and were to support the Munro Review, the review and development of the special education needs Green Paper and evidenced-based interventions for looked after children. Of these, one secondment was in a policy development capacity.
	Over the same period, there were no secondments from the industry sector.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many temporary staff have been recruited to his Department between September and November 2011.

Tim Loughton: Between September and December 2011, four temporary members of staff were recruited, three in September and one in October.

Design: Education

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the level of future provision of Design and Technology education for 11 to 14 year olds.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 19 December 2011
	The Government's review of the National Curriculum is considering whether a numberof subjects, including design and technology, should be a part of the NationalCurriculum, and if so at which key stages. The review is being informed by responsesto the Call for Evidence issued on 20 January 2011 and by evidence from the educationsystems of high-performing countries. We will be announcing our initial proposals forthe National Curriculum this year, following which there will be full public consultationbefore final decisions are made.

Drugs: Health Education

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the role of education in schools in tackling drug and alcohol abuse by young people.

Sarah Teather: The Government approach to the role of education in tackling drug and alcohol misuse is set out in the Government Drug Strategy published December 2010. The Drug Strategy Inter-Ministerial Group, which includes Ministers from seven Government Departments, meets regularly to discuss progress against drug strategy commitments.
	All schools should teach pupils about the effects of drugs (including alcohol, tobacco, volatile substances and medicines) through the non-statutory framework for personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) and as part of the statutory National Curriculum for Science.
	The Government are currently reviewing PSHE education including drug and alcohol education. The aim of the review is to determine how we can support schools to improve the quality of all PSHE teaching while giving teachers the flexibility to use their professional judgment to meet the needs of their pupils. The first phase of the review has completed and the Department will be publishing proposals for public consultation in 2012.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effect of ending education maintenance allowance on retention and enrolment rates in the further education sector in 2011.

Nick Gibb: There is no evidence that the ending of education maintenance allowance (EMA) has had an impact on overall levels of retention and enrolment rates in the further education sector. On 15 December the Government published ‘Building Engagement, Building Futures', which sets out our strategy for increasing participation among 16-24 year olds. Access for young people to financial support, through the 16-19 Bursary Fund, is a key element of this strategy. The Department is commissioning an independent evaluation of the Bursary Fund which will commence in due course.

Education: Harrow

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reasons the London borough of Harrow received the lowest funding per pupil through total basic need grant compared to other outer London boroughs in 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: Basic need funding is not calculated on a per pupil basis but on an assessment of the aggregate need in each area.
	In the main allocation for basic need in 2011-12 the London borough of Harrow received £3.171 million. The allocation was based on the growth expected between the base year (2010-11) and the forecast year (2013-14). In Harrow, the data showed that there was a need for primary places, but no need for additional secondary places (secondary places attract a higher weighting).
	The allocation methodology for the additional £500 million in 2011-12 used a different methodology and was based solely on shortfall in pupil places (the difference between the current capacity and the forecast). The London borough of Harrow had very little shortfall at the time of the allocations (none in primary and less than 20 places in secondary) and therefore received a small allocation of these additional funds.

Free Schools

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  how many of the free schools due to open in 2012 are (a) new schools and (b) existing schools transferring to free school status;
	(2)  how many existing free schools are (a) new schools and (b) existing schools which transferred to free school status.

Nick Gibb: Of the 24 free schools that opened in September 2011, 19 are new schools and five were previously in the independent sector. A further 67 new schools and four independent schools have been approved to move to pre-opening stage, all of which are planning to open in 2012.

Free Schools

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the costs that will be incurred by local authorities as a consequence of his Department's decision not to pay section 106 contributions levied on free schools; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Gibb: The Department for Education is funding Free Schools to pay contributions under reasonable and justified section 106 agreements that have been entered into as a condition of planning consent. The Department will continue to fund Free Schools to meet commitments under section 106 agreements where required.
	The Government believe that the creation of new schools is strongly in the national interest. As the Planning Policy Statement of 15 August 2011 makes clear, conditions placed on school development by local planning authorities should therefore only be those absolutely necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms.

GCSE

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many 16 year olds in each (a) region, (b) local authority and (c) parliamentary constituency achieved C grades or better in both English and mathematics GCSE last year.

Nick Gibb: The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries.

GCSE

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which GCSE subjects are (a) tiered and (b) untiered; and whether there is variation between awarding bodies as to which GCSE subjects are tiered.

Nick Gibb: This is a matter for the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation and I have asked its chief executive, Glenys Stacey to write directly to my hon. Friend. A copy of her reply will be placed in the House Libraries.
	Letter from Glenys Stacey, dated 10 January 2012
	I am responding to your parliamentary question raised with regard to which subjects are tiered at GCSE and possible variations between awarding bodies.
	I can confirm that there is no variation between awarding bodies as to which GCSE subjects are tiered. A list of subjects which are examined at foundation or higher tier and those which are examined at a single tier, are set out as follows.
	If you wish to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
	Single tier/Un-tiered
	Art and Design
	Business Subjects
	Citizenship Studies
	Classical Subjects (Classical Greek)
	Construction and the Built Environment
	Dance
	Design and Technology
	Drama
	Economics
	Engineering
	Expressive Arts
	Health and Social Care
	History (England and Wales only)
	Home Economics
	Hospitality and /or Catering
	Humanities
	Information and Communication Technology(ICT)
	Law
	Leisure and Tourism
	Manufacturing
	Media Studies
	Music
	Physical Education
	Psychology
	Religious Studies
	Sociology
	Two tiers (foundation and higher)
	Biology
	Chemistry
	Classical Subjects (Classical Civilisation, Classical Latin)
	English
	English Language
	English Literature
	Geography
	History (NI only)
	Mathematics
	Modern Foreign Languages
	Physics
	Science
	Additional Applied Science
	Statistics
	Additional Science

Michaela Community School

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  which sites have been considered for use by the Michaela Community Free School;
	(2)  whether his Department is meeting the cost of the purchase of Balham Youth Court by the Michaela Free School.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 20 December 2011
	The original application for Michaela Community School suggested a number of locations as potential permanent or temporary sites for the school but none were found to be both suitable and available.
	Since the application was approved to pre-opening stage, Partnerships for Schools has conducted a further site search. This has led to negotiations about a potential site which we hope to be able to announce shortly.
	Balham Youth Court has been identified by Partnerships for Schools as a potential site for a one form entry primary school, 16-19 school, studio school, Alternative Provision or special school and would not be large enough to serve as a permanent site for Michaela Community School. If a need for temporary accommodation is identified for Michaela Community School, Balham Youth Court may be considered. The Department would fund the purchase of Balham Youth Court if it was required for a free school.

Physical Education

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he has taken to monitor progress against recommended guidelines in the activity level of school children.

Tim Loughton: We have removed from schools the burden of having to fill in physical education and sport survey returns, which was a requirement of the previous Government. Instead, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), will introduce a much lighter-touch system of measurement, focusing specifically on schools' participation in competitive sport as part of the School Games. In addition, there will be an independent impact study of the School Games which will sample trends in schools' participation. The details of these are currently being developed.

Physical Education

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he plans to take to support children who are not motivated by competition in physical education lessons to meet guidelines for levels of physical activity.

Tim Loughton: Physical Education (PE) is a compulsory subject of the National Curriculum for all pupils aged five to 16. PE will remain compulsory following the review of the National Curriculum, but will have a greater focus on competitive sport. Competitive sport will not, however, be the only element of the revised programme of study for PE. As they do now, schools will teach PE in a way which motivates and engages all pupils and encourages them to be physically active.

Postgraduate Education: Admissions

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) places and (b) applications there were for PGCE courses in each subject in (i) 2010 and (ii) 2011.

Nick Gibb: The available information on the number of (a) places and (b) applications for Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) courses by subject can be found in Tables A and B respectively.
	
		
			 Table A: Places allocated for Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) courses by subject to start in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 academic years, England 
			  Places 
			 Subject 2010/11 2011/12 
			 Art(1) 535 275 
			 Business Studies(1) 520 275 
			 Citizenship 225 155 
			 Classics 25 25 
			 Dance 70 55 
			 Design and Technology(1) 995 725 
			 Drama 185 150 
			 English 1,510 1,445 
			 Geography(1) 700 620 
			 Health and social care 80 25 
			 History 500 505 
			 ICT(1) 925 635 
			 Mathematics 2,425 2,180 
			 Media 50 20 
			 Modern Languages 1,560 1,290 
			 Music 555 315 
			 Physical education 745 560 
			 Primary-All 9,645 10,640 
			 Psychology 65 35 
		
	
	
		
			 Religious education 675 375 
			 Science(1) 3,270 2,760 
			 Social Sciences 95 65 
			 (1) Art includes Applied Art and Design; Geography includes Leisure and Tourism; Design and Technology includes Engineering; ICT includes Applied ICT; Business Studies includes Applied Business; Science includes Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, General Science and Physics. Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. Source: TDA ITT Trainee Numbers Census 
		
	
	
		
			 Table B: Applications for Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) courses by subject to start in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 academic years, England 
			  Applications (all) 
			 Subject 2010/11 2011/12 
			 Art 1,710 1,375 
			 Business Studies 1,475 1,005 
			 Citizenship 560 450 
			 Classics 100 105 
			 Design and Technology 1,780 1,015 
			 Drama 1,160 1,080 
			 Economics 15 10 
			 English 4,250 3,945 
			 Env/Rural Science 15 0 
			 Geography 1,140 1,030 
			 Geology 10 10 
			 History 1,820 1,845 
			 Home Economics 145 95 
			 Information Technology 1,580 970 
			 Mathematics 3,935 3,535 
			 Middle-All 450 375 
			 Modern Languages(1) 2,050 1,855 
			 Music 1,025 720 
			 Other 100 250 
			 Physical Education 3,250 3,340 
			 Primary-All 23,725 24,465 
			 Religious Education 1,390 1,005 
			 Science(1) 4,995 4,365 
			 Social Studies 525 440 
			 (1) Modern Languages includes French, German, Italian, Other Modem Languages, Russian and Spanish; Science includes Biology, Chemistry, Combined and General Science and Physics. Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 and include some withdrawn applications. 3. Some applications for Postgraduate ITT courses are made independently of the Graduate Teacher Training Registry and are not included in the figures. 4. Data for 2011/12 are provisional as at the end of the application process so are subject to change. 5. Membership to the GTTR changes between years, therefore the Higher Education Institutes covered may vary. Source: Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR)

Private Education: Inspections

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress has been made in transferring responsibility for inspecting child safeguarding arrangements at independent schools from Ofsted to the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

Nick Gibb: The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) has for many years conducted education inspections of schools affiliated to the Independent Schools Council (ISC). Until recently, all boarding welfare inspections in independent schools, including those affiliated to ISC, were conducted by Ofsted. In 2010 ISI was approved in principle to carry out boarding welfare inspections of ISC affiliated schools as this would allow combined education and boarding welfare inspections to take place. The Department took powers in the Education Act 2011 to allow Ofsted to monitor independent inspectorates' inspection of boarding provision, in the same way that it currently carries out monitoring of education inspections.
	ISI carried out a small number of pilot boarding welfare inspections during the autumn term 2011, and will undertake a full schedule of boarding welfare inspections this term.

Public Expenditure

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much his Department spent in (a) Birmingham, (b) Newcastle, (c) Wakefield, (d) Manchester, (e) Leeds, (f) Liverpool, (g) Coventry, (h) Bristol, (i) Sheffield, (j) Bradford, (k) Leicester and (l) Nottingham in the latest financial year for which figures are available.

Tim Loughton: For the financial year 2010-11 the Department for Education (DfE) provided funding to the local authorities as set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Local authority £ 000 
			 (a) Birmingham City Council 1,072,925 
			 (b) Newcastle upon Tyne City Council 197,426 
			 (c) Wakefield City Council 251,023 
			 (d) Manchester City Council 398,165 
			 (e) Leeds City Council 545,132 
			 (f) Liverpool City Council 369,980 
			 (g) Coventry City Council 267,453 
			 (h) Bristol City Council 266,652 
			 (i) Sheffield City Council 393,921 
			 (j) Bradford City Council 473,772 
			 (k) Leicester City Council 275,928 
			 (l) Nottingham City Council 216,214 
			 Total 4,728,591

Pupil Exclusions

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils were excluded from school in each parliamentary constituency in the latest year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The requested information has been placed in the House Libraries.

Pupil Referral Units: Standards

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of pupil referral units received each level of Ofsted rating since 2001; and how that compares with the proportion of all secondary schools receiving each level of Ofsted rating over the same period.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 20 December 2011
	This is a matter for Ofsted. The former HM Chief Inspector, Miriam Rosen, has written to the hon. Member, and a copy of her response has been placed in the House Libraries.
	Letter from Miriam Rosen, dated 19 December 2011
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for response.
	The latest annual period for which published figures are available about maintained school inspection outcomes is the 2010/11 academic year. Since 1 September 2005, maintained school inspections have been carried out under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. Ofsted records all judgements made by inspectors in section 5 inspections, including the judgement for overall effectiveness of the school.
	Schools inspected under section 5. of the Education Act 2005 were graded against a four point scale: 1—outstanding, 2—good, 3—satisfactory, and 4—inadequate.
	Prior to 1 September 2005 maintained schools were inspected under section 10 of the Schools inspection Act 1996.
	Schools inspected under section 10 were graded against a seven point scale: 1—excellent; 2—very good, 3—good, 4—satisfactory, 5—unsatisfactory, 6—poor, and 7—very poor.
	A direct comparison cannot be made between judgements made on section 10 and section 5 inspections as different factors were taken into account when the overall effectiveness grades were awarded to schools. Thus, the following analysis breaks down into two sections: schools that have been inspected under section 10 and schools that have been inspected under section 5.
	Table A shows the number and proportion of pupil referral units and secondary schools inspected and their overall effectiveness judgement, at their section 10 inspection, prior to 1 September 2005. Table B snows similar information for pupil referral units and secondary schools under section 5 inspections from 1 September 2005, for each academic year between 2005/06 and 2010/11.
	In September 2009, Ofsted implemented a policy of more proportionate inspection using risk assessment. In doing so we selected for inspection a greater proportion of previously satisfactory or inadequate schools and a smaller proportion of previously good or outstanding schools. Inevitably, this skews the sample of schools inspected and means that comparisons between years should be treated with caution. Prior to 2009 we inspected across the whole range of schools, but from 2009 onwards the range was not representative of the national profile of schools.
	Statistics covering the outcomes of ail inspections carried out in each academic year since 2005/06 can be found at:
	http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/advanced/resources-search/results/%2A/all/all/any/200/any?solrsort=im_search_date_mktime%20desc
	The most recent official statistics release covering the outcomes of maintained school inspections carried out between 1 July 2011 and 30 September 2011 was released on 13 December 2011 and can be accessed at the same link.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.
	
		
			 Table A: Overall effectiveness judgement for pupil referral units and secondary schools inspected under section 10 for academic years between 2001/02 and 2004/05 (number and percentage of schools) (1, 2) 
			    Overall effectiveness 
			    Excellent Very good Good Satisfactory Unsatisfactory Poor Very poor 
			 Phase Academic Year Total No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 
			 Pupil referral unit 2001/02 42 2 5 8 19 17 40 7 17 4 10 3 7 1 2 
			  2002/03 75 3 4 18 24 26 35 19 25 6 8 3 4 — — 
			  2003/04 64 — — 10 16 21 33 23 36 8 13 2 3 — — 
			  2004/05 48 2 4 8 17 22 46 12 25 4 8 — — — — 
			                  
			 Secondary 2001/02 548 12 2 118 22 232 42 142 26 39 7 5 1 — — 
			  2002/03 539 18 3 125 23 241 45 124 23 22 4 7 1 2 0 
			  2003/04 627 10 2 104 17 308 49 142 23 49 8 14 2 — — 
			  2004/05 485 13 3 111 23 213 44 114 24 25 5 9 2 — — 
		
	
	
		
			 Table B: Overall effectiveness judgement for pupil referral units and secondary schools inspected under section 5 for academic years between 2005/06 and 2010/11 (number and percentage of schools) (1, 2) 
			    Overall effectiveness 
			    Outstanding Good Satisfactory Inadequate 
			 Phase Academic Year Total No. % No. % No. % No. % 
			 Pupil referral unit 2005/06 183 16 9 83 45 60 33 24 13 
			  2006/07 149 18 12 66 44 49 33 16 11 
			  2007/08 138 10 7 76 55 42 30 10 7 
			  2008/09 184 32 17 96 52 44 24 12 7 
			  2009/10 136 28 21 57 42 39 29 12 9 
			  2010/11 129 19 15 65 50 38 29 7 5 
			            
			 Secondary 2005/06 1,023 103 10 401 39 389 38 130 13 
			  2006/07 1,294 173 13 488 38 516 40 117 9 
			  2007/08 1,164 193 17 469 40 400 34 102 9 
			  2008/09 1,071 238 22 434 41 331 31 68 6 
			  2009/10 888 111 13 319 36 360 41 98 11 
		
	
	
		
			  2010/11 894 126 14 338 38 360 40 70 8 
			 (1) Percentages in the tables are rounded and may not add to 100. (2) Percentages for small numbers should be treated with caution.

Pupils: Assessments

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the (a) net and (b) average spend was of schools in the maintained sector on Key Stage Four examinations in academic year (i) 1999-2000 and (ii) 2010-11; and what proportion of the total budget of such schools this represented in each year.

Nick Gibb: The following tables set out the gross and average spend of local authority maintained secondary and special schools on examination fees for 2010-11, and what proportion of the gross expenditure of such schools this represents:
	
		
			 Secondary schools 
			 Spend (£) Number of schools Average school spend (£) Percentage  of gross expenditure spent on examination fees 
			 328,461,082 2,939 111,759 1.99 
		
	
	
		
			 Special schools 
			 Spend (£) Number of schools Average school spend (£) Percentage  of gross expenditure spent on examination fees 
			 2,637,991 971 2,717 0.14 
			 Notes: 1. Figures are taken from data provided by schools in the Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) collection. 2. Numbers of schools used to calculate the average spend are taken from the January 2011 School Census. This relates to the January in the second part of the financial year. No weighting has been applied to the figures. 3. Figures supplied on spend are gross figures only. 
		
	
	The figures supplied cover spending on examination fees as outlined in the CFR guide and so only include: the costs of test and examination entry fees and any accreditation costs related to pupils, including GCSEs, A/AS Levels and administrative costs, e.g. external marking.
	The figures cover all local authority maintained secondary and special schools. However, some of these schools will have incurred costs for other examinations. For example, those with sixth forms will have included costs for key stage 5 examination fees in their CFR returns. It is not possible to identify the costs for key stage 4 examination fees specifically from the data collected.
	The Department did not collect figures on examination fees until 2002-03.

Pupils: Bullying

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will assess the recent research conducted by the Schools Health Education Unit on links between bullying and appearance.

Nick Gibb: Tackling poor behaviour in all its forms—including bullying—is a top priority for this Government. Schools need to work proactively to identify the driving issues behind prejudice among their pupils and put in place measures to prevent bullying and poor behaviour fuelled by peer pressure, as well as clear processes to respond to bullying when it does occur.
	The Schools and Students Health Education Unit's (SHEU) report records statistics such as the number of young people who want to lose weight, who do not eat breakfast, and who eat fewer than five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. Although none of these issues are necessarily directly linked to bullying or the fear of being bullied, the research summary says that up to 22% of 10 to 11-year-olds report being picked on for the way they look. No child should feel victimised because of their appearance, or for any other reason, and where bullying occurs, schools must have robust procedures in place to respond to it quickly and effectively.

Reading: Primary Education

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers he expects to undertake training in the reading recovery intervention in 2011-12.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 15 December 2011
	There are currently 88 reading recovery teachers in training. The number of teachers undertaking training in 2012 has not yet been confirmed.

Reading: Primary Education

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what financial support his Department is providing to the national co-ordination of the reading recovery intervention.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 15 December 2011
	We are providing a modest amount of funding to support management costs for Every Child a Reader, which has reading recovery at its core. We anticipate that this will be on a sliding scale until 2014. After this period, we have stated that the programme will operate on a demand-led basis.

Residential Schools: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many young people ordinarily resident in Scotland have been accommodated in specialist educational facilities in England in each of the last five years.

Tim Loughton: The information is not held centrally by the Department.
	The annual SSDA903 return collects information on children looked after by local authorities in England. Information is not collected on children looked after by Scottish local authorities, this data is collected by the Scottish Government. These data collections are based on the local authority which is responsible for the child irrespective of the country of the child's placement.
	Some of the Scottish children in English educational facilities will be placed for education purposes, rather than be looked after and any information we hold about "ordinary residence" will be based on English law.

School Meals: Academies

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what steps he plans to take in cases where Academy schools do not meet the nutritional guidelines for school meals followed by local authority schools;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the quality of the school food provided to pupils in free schools;
	(3)  when he expects the School Food Trust to deliver its report on school food in Academy schools; and when he plans to publish the report;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the changes in school food provision in schools which have converted to Academy status since May 2010.

Sarah Teather: We are confident that academies will recognise the importance of good nutrition to children's learning and will wish to provide healthy school food for their pupils. Where parents are not satisfied that they do so, they may complain through the normal complaints procedure which is publicised locally. Schools which have converted to become academies will already have been providing healthy, balanced meals that meet the current standards. I have no reason to believe that they would stop doing so on conversion. The Department is not aware of any evidence suggesting that academies provide meals that are less nutritious than those provided in maintained schools.
	The Department has not yet made an assessment of the quality of the food provided to pupils in free schools. In order to assess the changes in school food provision in schools which have converted to academy status, the Secretary of State for Education, the right hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), has asked the School Food Trust to undertake a qualitative study to look at the approach taken by academies to providing healthy school food. This will occur in January and February 2012, with the results expected to be published in spring 2012.

Schools: Admissions

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for each local authority area, what proportion of places at maintained primary schools are at (a) non-denominational schools, (b) Church of England schools, (c) Catholic schools, (d) other Christian denomination schools, (e) Jewish schools, (f) Muslim schools and (g) any other denominational or faith schools.

Nick Gibb: I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to Table 10g of the Statistical First Release: Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2011, which is available on the Department for Education's website. This was originally published on 22 June 2011, with an updated release published on 16 August 2011. This table has been enhanced by including an additional column 'proportion of pupils'.
	The original full Statistical First Release can be found at ‘DfE: Schools, Pupils and their Characteristics, January 2011’.

Schools: Expenditure

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of average expenditure by schools on text books and other teaching material; and what assessment he has made of (a) recent and (b) long-term trends in such expenditure.

Nick Gibb: The Department does not collect expenditure on text books and teaching materials specifically, but through the Section 251 Outturn data collection, we can identify the amount spent on educational resources (non-ICT equipment), which includes expenditure on text books and teaching materials. The following table shows the expenditure for three sectors of local authority maintained schools: primary, secondary and special and their respective levels of spend from 2003-04 to 2010-11.
	
		
			  Primary schools Secondary schools Special schools 
			  Schools (No) Spend on educational resources (£) Average school spend (£) Schools (No) Spend on educational resources (£) Average school spend (£) Schools (No) Spend on educational resources (£) Average school spend (£) 
			 2003-04 17,762 455,388,074 25,638 3,409 613,298,666 179,906 1,078 47,795,622 44,337 
			 2004-05 17,642 471,942,114 26,751 3,385 654,977,627 193,494 1,049 48,738,648 46,462 
			 2005-06 17,504 504,023,749 28,795 3,367 697,258,117 207,086 1,033 50,911,605 49,285 
			 2006-07 17,361 533,651,478 30,739 3,343 743,343,412 222,358 1,006 54,318,230 53,994 
			 2007-08 17,205 576,926,051 33,532 3,295 784,779,830 238,173 993 59,241,318 59,659 
			 2008-09 17,064 609,560,433 35,722 3,225 811,595,214 251,657 985 63,801,100 64,773 
			 2009-10 16,971 608,617,200 35,862 3,127 788,521,155 252,165 979 65,680,235 67,089 
			 2010-11 16,847 650,160,404 38,592 2,939 755,619,238 257,101 971 70,104,313 72,198 
			 Notes 1. Figures for 2002-03 to 2009-10 are taken from data provided by LAs in the s251 Outturn collection. The scope of this collection covers LA ‘maintained’ primary, secondary and special schools. 2. Figures for 2010-11 are taken from data provided by schools in the Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) collection. The figures include data from LA ‘maintained’ primary, secondary and special schools. 3. Number of schools used to calculate the average spend are taken from the January school census. This relates to the January in the second part of the financial year. No weighting has been applied to the figures. 4. Figures supplied on spend are gross figures only. 
		
	
	The figures supplied cover spending on learning resources (non-ICT equipment) as outlined in the Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) guide and so include:
	achievement gifts and prizes awarded to pupils,
	books (library and text books),
	charges for the school library,
	classroom and learning equipment (excluding ICT equipment),
	curriculum transport, including minibus expenses such as maintenance, tax, fuel (excludes insurance),
	furniture used for teaching purposes,
	pupil travel for work experience placements,
	purchase, lease, hire or maintenance contracts of audio-visual or other equipment used for teaching,
	reprographic resources and equipment used specifically for teaching purposes,
	school trips and educational visits,
	servicing and repairs to musical instruments and PE equipment used as part of the curriculum,
	subscriptions, publications, periodicals and copyright fees associated with the curriculum,
	teaching materials,
	television licence fees used for teaching purposes,
	payments to alternative provision services, including pupil referral units (PRUs), non-maintained special schools (NMSS) and independent schools,
	primary school PIP exam costs.
	It is not possible to identify the costs for text books and other teaching material specifically from the data collected.
	The expenditure figures for 2010-11 are taken from the Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) collection because the Section 251 data (S251) is still undergoing final data cleaning. The CFR is a school-based expenditure data collection whereas the S251 is a return made by local authorities on all its maintained schools but includes the same CFR codes.

Schools: Olympic Games 2012

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what correspondence his Department has issued to (a) the Scottish Government, (b) the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, (c) Scottish colleges and (d) local authorities in Scotland on the operation in Scotland of the Get Set networks for schools.

Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has responsibility for schools in England. Scottish Schools are the responsibility of the Scottish Government. The London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has developed the official London 2012 'Get Set' education programme, which is free for schools and colleges to join. LOCOG has contacted all eligible schools across Scotland regularly since the programme was launched in 2008. This contact has increased over the last few months to promote applications for the Get Set Network, the reward and recognition programme for schools that embrace Olympic/Paralympic values in their activity.
	LOCOG has worked closely with the Scottish Government and Learning Teaching Scotland to promote the scheme. LOCOG has written to all Scottish Local Education Authorities, and spoken at numerous key Scottish education conferences and events including the Scottish Learning Festival. I have recently written to all MPs across Scotland to encourage schools to sign up.

Schools: Olympic Games 2012

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools (a) in each local authority area in Scotland and (b) in Glasgow North constituency have joined his Department's Get Set network.

Tim Loughton: The Get Set Programme, and the Get Set Network, are not run by the Department for Education, but by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). LOCOG publishes data on schools and colleges that have signed up both to the Get Set Programme and Get Set Network at:
	www.london2012.com/getset
	This is updated each week, and includes schools and colleges across Scotland and in each local authority, as well as listing individual schools and colleges. The scheme does not operate on a political constituency basis.

Schools: Sports

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps the Government is taking to improve the provision of sport within schools in Coventry.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 20 December 2011
	As part of the review of the National Curriculum, Physical Education (PE) will remain compulsory for all pupils aged 5 to 16 across the country. The revised programme of study for PE will have a greater focus on competitive sport than previously.
	All secondary schools in England with at least 20 secondary aged pupils, including 27 schools in Coventry, will receive £7,600 each year in 2011/12 and 2012/13 to releases PE teacher from timetable for one day every week. This teacher will work with local schools, including primary schools, to increase opportunities in competitive sport within and between schools.
	In addition, the Department of Health and Sport England are funding 450 School Games Organiser posts across the country. These organisers work for three days a week and they will encourage greater take up of the School Games and increase opportunities in competitive sport within and between schools. There are two School Games Organisers covering schools in Coventry.

Schools: Standards

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education following his decision to prioritise funding for pre-16 education and to re-distribute resources to areas of deprivation, how he will ensure standards are maintained in existing high quality post-16 education providers.

Nick Gibb: We are making record amounts of funding available for 16 to 19 education—over £7.5 billion in 2012-13. This is on top of a significant increase in 16 to 19 funding in recent years.
	We want young people to reach the end of key stage 4 with the skills and knowledge that enable them to progress to more advanced education or training and equip them to compete in the labour market. The best determinant of achievement post-16 is achievement pre-16. That is why we have prioritised funding on pre-16.
	We have made unit cost reductions in post-16 education and training in two ways:
	by bringing the school funding rate down to that of colleges; and
	by reducing funding for enrichment activities.
	We are protecting the main education programmes post-16 and young people can be funded for a programme of 4.5 A levels or their equivalent, if they are able to undertake such a programme—and this position has not changed. We have also protected, as far as possible, funding for tutorial provision.

Schools: Transport

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many representations he has received on withdrawals of discretionary school transport subsidies by local authorities.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 19 December 2011
	Department for Education officials have received a number of informal notifications regarding local decisions or plans to withdraw funding for discretionary transport and the issue has been raised in the margins of other discussions with Ministers. To-date, there has been no formal requests for Ministers to take any further action.

Schools: Transport

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the total expenditure by his Department on discretionary school transport subsidies in each of the last three years for which figures are available;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of children who have benefited from discretionary subsidies for home to school transport in the last three years for which figures are available.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 19 December 2011
	Funding for home to school transport is provided by a combination of Revenue Support Grant paid via the Department for Communities and Local Government and locally collected taxes. Local authorities provide forecast and outturn data (which includes an element of home to school transport) through section 251 statements. The data, for home to school transport purposes, are split between mainstream, SEN and post-16 data but do not sub-divide to individual types of school transport. The Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), allocated £85 million to support local authorities in meeting their statutory duty in respect of extended rights to travel for 2011-12 and 2012-13.
	We do not collect data from local authorities on the numbers of children in receipt of discretionary transport as it is for local authorities to use their discretionary power in deciding whether transport for a child not eligible for free transport is appropriate. Nor does the Department collect data on the numbers of representations received on individual areas of home to school transport.

Schools: Transport

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding he plans to provide for students in sparsely populated rural areas to meet additional transport costs; and if he will refer to higher unit costs in scale and technologies required to educate learners in his report following completion of his 16 to 19 funding consultation.

Nick Gibb: Local authorities have a duty to publish a statement each year that sets out the travel arrangements they consider necessary to enable young people of sixth form age to attend post-16 education.
	The £180 million 16-19 Bursary Fund, which sits alongside the local authority duty, has the flexibility to help students meet individual transport costs.
	The recent consultation on the 16-19 funding formula review included options to simplify the system of weightings for programme funding without losing the principle that funding should reflect the cost of programmes that are more expensive to provide. The 16 to 19 participation budget does not cover transport costs and that will not change as a result of introducing a new 16 to 19 funding formula.

Teachers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many new teachers in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools he expects to retire in (i) 2012, (ii) 2013 and (iii) 2014.

Nick Gibb: The following table provides the headcount of regular teachers in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools by ages 51 to 59 and 60+ in service in publicly funded schools in England, November 2010. These figures show the total number of teachers who may be eligible to retire in the near future at the normal retirement age or by following processes for early retirement. It is not possible to identify which of these teachers are new teachers.
	
		
			 Headcount of all regular qualified and unqualified teachers in local authority maintained nursery/primary and secondary schools and age (1) . Year: November 2010. Coverage: England 
			 Age (2) Nursery and primary Secondary Total nursery/primary and secondary schools 
			 51 4,450 4,780 9,230 
			 52 4,800 4,750 9,550 
			 53 5,300 5,010 10,310 
			 54 5,310 4,960 10,270 
			 55 5,300 4,730 10,030 
			 56 5,330 4,750 10,080 
			 57 4,930 4,310 9,240 
			 58 4,500 3,810 8,310 
			 59 3,550 3,150 6,710 
			 60 2,120 1,930 4,050 
			 61 1,410 1,360 2,770 
			 62 940 980 1,930 
			 63 780 810 1,590 
			 64 440 450 890 
			 65+ 790 720 1,510 
			 Total 51 + 49,960 46,490 96,450 
			 (1) Includes all full- and part-time teachers with a contract of 28 days or more on the census date, November 2010. (2) Age on the census date, November 2010. Source: School Workforce Census

Teachers: Disciplinary Proceedings

Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers were (a) suspended from schools as a result of allegations by pupils and (b) subsequently permanently removed from their position in each of the last 10 years.

Nick Gibb: holding answer 19 December 2011
	The Department does not hold records of school level disciplinary action (including suspensions and sackings).
	The General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) currently administers the regulatory system for teachers who have been dismissed by their schools for reasons of incompetence or misconduct. From 2001 to present day a total of 208 teachers have been suspended by the GTCE due to misconduct and 14 for incompetence. It is not possible to ascertain from GTCE records, whether those suspended from teaching were suspended as a result of allegations from pupils.
	Figures for each year are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Number of teachers suspended by the GTCE since 2001 
			  Total 
			 2001/02  
			 Misconduct 0 
			 Competency 0 
			   
			 2002/03  
			 Misconduct 1 
			 Competency 0 
			   
			 2003/04  
			 Misconduct 6 
			 Competency 3 
			   
			 2004/05  
			 Misconduct 1 
			 Competency 1 
			   
			 2005/06  
			 Misconduct 9 
			 Competency 3 
			   
			 2006/07  
			 Misconduct 18 
			 Competency 0 
			   
			 2007/08  
			 Misconduct 18 
			 Competency 3 
			   
			 2008/09  
			 Misconduct 22 
			 Competency 0 
			   
			 2009/10  
			 Misconduct 26 
			 Competency 2 
			   
			 2010/11  
			 Misconduct 49 
		
	
	
		
			 Competency 2 
			   
			 2011/12  
			 Misconduct 58 
			 Competency 0 
			   
			 Totals  
			 Misconduct 208 
			 Competency 14 
			 Source: General Teaching Council for England

Teachers: Qualifications

Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many people undertook a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course in England in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of them went on to jobs teaching in England.

Nick Gibb: In the 2009/10 academic year, 22,410 trainees undertook the final year of a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course in England. Six months after the course ended 81% were known to be employed in a teaching post in England.
	By sector, this 81% was comprised of 70% known to be employed in a teaching post in the maintained school sector; 6% known to be in a teaching post in the non-maintained sector and 5% where the sector was not known.

Teachers: Scholarships

Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers were awarded funding from the National Scholarship Fund for Teachers in (a) the South East, (b) Berkshire, (c) Reading and (d) Reading West constituency in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the value was of such funding.

Nick Gibb: The £2 million National Scholarship Fund for teachers was set up to help existing teachers in England develop their skills and to help them deepen their subject knowledge. The first round of successful bids was announced on 12 December 2011.
	The number of teachers awarded scholarships and the total value of these awards in each constituency was:
	
		
			  Applicants £ 
			 South East 110 298,063 
			    
			 Berkshire 12 who live in the county 31,797 
			  11 who work in the county 30,652 
			    
			 Reading 2 who live in Reading 5,300 
			  2 who work in Reading 4,625 
			    
			 Reading West 2 who work in Reading West 4,625 
		
	
	There were no successful applicants who live in Reading West.

Women's Rights: Curriculum

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the provision of teaching of women's rights and gender equality in the National Curriculum.

Nick Gibb: No assessment has been made of the provision of teaching of women's rights and gender equality in the National Curriculum. These topics can be taught as part of citizenship education, which is a compulsory part of the National Curriculum in secondary schools. They can also be taught as part of personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, which is non-statutory.
	We are currently conducting reviews of the National Curriculum and of PSHE. The National Curriculum review aims to reduce prescription and focuses on the essential knowledge that all children should acquire. The internal review of PSHE education will determine the core content and how to improve the quality of all PSHE teaching. Beyond that, it should be for individual schools to design a whole school curriculum that best meets the needs of their pupils.

Young People: Sports

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps his Department is taking to increase opportunities for young people in Coventry aged (a) seven to 12 and (b) 13 to 18 years old to play sport.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 20 December 2011
	As part of the review of the National Curriculum, Physical Education (PE) will remain compulsory for all pupils aged five to 16 across the country. The revised programme of study for PE will have a greater focus on competitive sport than previously.
	In addition, all secondary schools in England with at least 20 secondary aged pupils, including 27 schools in Coventry, will receive £7,600 each year in 2011/12 and 2012/13 to release a PE teacher from timetable for one day every week. This teacher will work with local schools, including primary schools, to increase opportunities in competitive sport within and between schools.

Young People: Training

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what criteria will be used to determine eligibility for the proposed fund to increase the participation of young people in education, training and work.

Tim Loughton: holding answer 20 December 2011
	On 25 November 2011, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a new Youth Contract worth almost £1 billion over the next three years. As part of this, we will invest £126 million in England to put in place a new programme of support to help vulnerable 16 to 17-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training.
	This programme will focus on disadvantaged young people who are more likely to face multiple challenges, which might include having low qualifications, a history of truancy or having been excluded from school.
	We are currently developing the detail of this programme, including the target group, and will publish further information in due course.

Young People: Unemployment

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which organisation he proposes will be responsible for (a) collecting and (b) monitoring information on the number of young people not in education, employment or training from 2012.

Tim Loughton: Estimates of the number of 16-18 year olds in England who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) are published annually in June by the Department for Education in the statistical first release "Participation in Education, Training and Employment by 16-18 year olds in England". Quarterly data from the Labour Force Survey on the number and proportion of 16-18 year olds, and 16-24 year olds, NEET in England are published by the Department in the statistical release “NEET Quarterly Brief”.
	Local authorities are responsible for tracking young people's participation in education, training and employment and for recording this information for 16-19 year olds resident in their authority. This forms a part of their statutory duty to encourage, enable and assist young people's participation in education or training.
	The Department will continue to publish the information that local authorities collect, enabling local people to hold services to account.

CABINET OFFICE

Charity Commission: Public Appointments

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he expects to appoint a new Chairman of the Charity Commission.

Nick Hurd: The current Chair of the Charity Commission's term of office is due to end on 31 July 2012. The recruitment of a successor will begin shortly. As a public appointment, the recruitment process will be conducted in line with the requirements of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Civil Servants: Redundancy

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much was paid in lump sums from the Civil Service Compensation Scheme in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: holding answer 19 December 2011
	Lump sums payable under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme are recorded in the Notes to the Resource Accounts for Cabinet Office: Civil Superannuation (which are available in the Library). The resource accounts for 2010-11 will be published in early 2012. The figure for lump sums payable includes any additional pension lump sums payable as a result of exits under the former compensation scheme terms.

Deloitte: Government Departments

John Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 14 November 2011, Official Report, columns 537-8W, on Government departments: Deloitte, what the (a) net value and (b) individual value was of each of the Government contracts awarded to (i) Deloitte and (ii) associates of Deloitte since May 2010.

Francis Maude: The following table summarises contracts that are listed on Contract Finder. The total potential value of these contracts exceeds £1.47 billion; actual net value will depend on usage, particularly of framework agreements. Further information is held by individual Departments.
	
		
			 Supplier Procuring authority Contract Value (£) 
			 Ingeus Deloitte Department for Work and Pensions Work Programme—CPA8 Scotland—Ingeus Deloitte 141,761,075 
			 Ingeus Deloitte Department for Work and Pensions EnglishWork Programme—CPA16 West Yorkshire—Ingeus Deloitte 75,893,060 
			 Ingeus Deloitte Department for Work and Pensions Work Programme—CPA5 North East—Ingeus Deloitte 111,509,095 
			 Ingeus Deloitte Department for Work and Pensions Work Programme—CPA1 East of England—Ingeus Deloitte 117,887,335 
			 Ingeus Deloitte Department for Work and Pensions Work Programme—CPA3 West London—Ingeus Deloitte 102,846,725 
			 Ingeus Deloitte Department for Work and Pensions Work Programme—CPA2 East Midlands—Ingeus Deloitte 116,576,495 
			 Ingeus Deloitte Department for Work and Pensions Work Programme—CPA6 North West—Merseyside, Halton, Cumbria and Lancashire—Ingeus Deloitte 107,089,660 
			 Deloitte LLP Northern Ireland Audit Office Financial auditing services 264,000 
			 Deloitte LLP Skills Funding Agency Cloud Readiness 120,000 
			 Deloitte Humber NHS Foundation Trust Auditing services (1)— 
			 Deloitte LLP Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Internal audit services (1)— 
			 Deloitte LLP Fabrick Housing Group Auditing services 16,000,000 
			 Deloitte LLP One Vision Housing Ltd Auditing services 25,000,000 
			 Deloitte National Audit Office Accounting and auditing services 2,450,000 
			 Deloitte MCS Ltd. Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Business and management consultancy and related services(2) 400,000,000 
			 Deloitte LLP (local authorities) Audit Scotland Statutory audit services 2,439,000 
			 Deloitte LLP (health bodies) Audit Scotland Statutory audit services 1,896,000 
			 Deloitte LLP Coventry City Council Financial consultancy services(2) 20,000,000 
			 Deloitte LLP University of Leeds Statutory audit services (1)— 
			 Deloitte and Touche Public Sector Internal Audit Ltd North Devon District Council Internal audit services 33,000,000 
			 Deloitte Herefordshire Council Auditing services(2) 3,000,000 
			 Drivers Jonas Deloitte NHS Shared Business Services Ltd Property management services of real estate on a fee or contract basis(2) (1)— 
			 Deloitte LLP The Pensions Regulator Pension services(2) (1)— 
			 Deloitte LLP The Pensions Regulator Business and management consultancy and related services(2) (1)— 
			 Deloitte LLP Buying Solutions Computer-related professional services(2) 50,000,000 
			 Deloitte LLP Buying Solutions Computer-related professional services(2) 50,000,000 
			 Deloitte LLP Buying Solutions Computer-related professional services(2) 50,000,000 
			 Deloitte LLP Buying Solutions Computer-related professional services(2) 50,000,000 
		
	
	
		
			 Drivers Jonas Deloitte Swan Housing Association Ltd Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services(2) (1)— 
			 (1) No data (2) Framework agreements rather than individual contracts.

Departmental Civil Proceedings

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which organisations that have received funding from his Department have brought legal proceedings against his Department in the last five years; which such organisations were not successful in their actions; and whether his Department (a) applied and (b) was paid for costs in respect of such cases.

Francis Maude: The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Judicial Review

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what applications for judicial review have been made against his Department (a) in the last Parliament and (b) since May 2010; whether each such application (i) succeeded, (ii) failed and (iii) remains pending; what legal costs were incurred by his Department for each such application; in each failed application whether he applied for costs against the applicant and whether they were (A) awarded and (B) paid; whether his Department (1) paid for and (2) offered to pay for the legal costs incurred by each such applicant; and what the total cost to the public purse was of payment of the legal costs for each such applicant.

Francis Maude: During the relevant period, Treasury Solicitors has moved from paper to electronic record keeping. Records indicate that during the relevant time period, there have been 13 judicial review cases against the Cabinet Office recorded on the electronic system and nine using the older recorded paper filing system.
	The additional information requested on cases held using the older paper filing system could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The following information is provided in relation to the 13 applications for judicial review mentioned above. These 13 cases are comprised of:
	three cases where judicial review was threatened, but not subsequently pursued,
	one case was withdrawn,
	five applications against the Department were unsuccessful,
	two applications against the Department were successful,
	one case was settled,
	two cases are either pending or awaiting an appeal (this includes one unsuccessful application which is being appealed).
	The legal cost incurred for each, to date, for the Cabinet Office is shown in the following table. (Fee notes are outstanding in many of these cases, the figures do not include estimates for accruals, and in many cases the legal costs were split between several Departments, as the case had multiple defendants. The figure given is for the Cabinet Office share of the costs where known.)
	
		
			  £ 
			 Case 1 5,937.05 
			 Case 2 632.22 
			 Case 3 283.33 
			 Case 4 10,000 
			 Case 5 362.37 
			 Case 6 94,968.77 
			 Case 7 5,208.48 
			 Case 8 133,689.52 
			 Case 9 8,914.94 
			 Case 10 21,935.33 
			 Case 11 6,774.51 
			 Case 12 571.50 
			 Case 13 237,958.83 
		
	
	Costs were applied for in all five of the unsuccessful applications, were awarded in total or in part for all five.
	Costs were ordered against the Department in respect of the two successful applications.

Departmental Manpower

Luciana Berger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011;
	(2)  how many people were working at No. 10 Downing street on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011.

Francis Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office and is included in the figures for the Cabinet Office.
	Our records report upon the position at the end of any given month and, on that basis, the number of staff working in my Department is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Cabinet Office total Prime Minister’s Office 
			 At 31 May 2010 1,344 181 
			 At 30 November 2011 2,172 168 
		
	
	The rise in total headcount for the Cabinet Office should be set in the context of machinery of government changes that took place during the intervening period resulting in the transfer of 1,187 additional staff from other Government Departments into the Department.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many temporary staff have been recruited to his Department between September and November 2011.

Francis Maude: Cabinet Office recruited 25 temporary employees during the period 1 September to 30 November 2011 of which 10 were graduate interns and five were apprentices.

Disadvantaged

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what representations his Department received from voluntary and community organisations on social exclusion.

Nick Hurd: I receive numerous representations from voluntary and community organisations that cover a wide range of topics. The information sought is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Disadvantaged

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions he had with external organisations on social inequality between June and December 2011; and with which organisations any such discussions took place.

Nick Hurd: I meet with a wide range of stakeholders to discuss different policy priorities, including relating to social inequalities.
	The latest details available of meetings between Ministers and external organisations are on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-external-organisations-april-june

Electoral Register

Karen Buck: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of the eligible population was registered for voting purposes in each English local authority in 2005-06; and what the percentage change in registration was between 2005-06 and 2010-11.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated December 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of the eligible population was registered for voting purposes in each English local authority in 2005-06; and what the percentage change in registration was between 2005-06 and 2010 (88349).
	The table shows the number of people aged 18 and over who were registered to vote in local government elections as a percentage of the estimated resident population aged 18 and over for each local authority in England in 2006 and 2010. The percentage change between these two time points is also given. Copies of the table have been placed in the House of Commons Library.
	The estimated resident population aged 18 and over is the closest available approximation of the population eligible to vote in each English local authority. However, these figures should not be interpreted as the electoral registration rate as the population eligible to vote excludes foreign citizens (from outside the British Commonwealth, Republic of Ireland and European Union) resident within the UK.
	In addition, figures for the registered electorate may be inflated because people who have more than one address may register in more than one place (e.g. students may register at parental and term-time addresses) and electoral registration officers vary in how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have moved away from an area or died. This may lead to percentages of over one hundred per cent and can affect the comparability of figures across local authorities.

Electoral Register

Karen Buck: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what proportion of eligible households were registered for voting purposes in each English parliamentary constituency in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated December 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of eligible households were registered for voting purposes in each English parliamentary constituency in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010 (88350).
	ONS does not have the data required to answer your question. To calculate the requested proportion, both the number of households registered to vote and the number of households eligible to vote are required by parliamentary constituency.
	ONS collect data on the number of individuals who are registered to vote in each English parliamentary constituency, but no data are collected on the number of households registered to vote.
	The Department for Communities and Local Government produce projections of the number of households at local authority level but these are not available by parliamentary constituency as they are based on the ONS subnational population projections which are only available down to local authority level. Furthermore, any estimate of the number of households could only provide an approximation for the number of, households who are eligible to vote as some households where no one is eligible to vote will be included.

Employment: Private Sector

Phil Wilson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the net change in the number of private sector jobs was in each region in the third quarter of 2011.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck dated December 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the net change in the number of private sector jobs was in each region in the third quarter of 2011 (87951).
	The table below contains the non-seasonally adjusted quarterly growth in private sector jobs between Q2 and Q3 2011. These figures are derived using total employment for each region and official regional public sector employment data.
	
		
			 Private sector employment quarterly change by region 2011 Q2 to 2011 Q3 
			  Thousands 
			 North West 23 
			 North East -7 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber -40 
			 West Midlands 29 
			 East Midlands -7 
		
	
	
		
			 East of England London -26 
			 London 40 
			 South East -2 
			 South West 31 
			 Wales 2 
			 Scotland -3 
			 Northern Ireland 4 
			 Notes: 1. Derived from LFS total regional employment estimates and public sector employment 2. Based on non-seasonally adjusted data. 3. Rounded to the nearest thousand. Source: Business Statistics Division, ONS

Food: Prices

Laura Sandys: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the proportion of November 2011's inflation rate which can be attributed to the rising cost of food.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated December 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what estimate has been made of the proportion of November 2011's inflation rate which can be attributed to the rising cost of food (88327).
	The consumer prices index (CPI) 12-month rate stands at 4.8 per cent for November. Food, excluding non-alcoholic beverages, contributed 0.37 percentage points or around 8 per cent of this total.
	You may be interested to know that this data is available for high level series in table 11 of the detailed briefing tables on our website. The tables for November can be found at:
	http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/cpi/consumer-price-indices/november-2011/consumer-price-indices--detailed-briefing-note.pdf

Job Creation: Private Sector

Frank Dobson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many of the additional jobs in the private sector in 2010-11 were transfers from the public sector; and what the equivalent figure is for 2011 to date.

Nick Hurd: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated December 2011
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many of the additional jobs in the private sector in 2010-11 were transfers from the public sector; and what the equivalent figure is for 2011 to date (87521).
	Estimates of labour market flows, that is, the measurement of people moving between different labour force categories, are derived from Labour Force Survey (LFS) longitudinal datasets.
	Unfortunately estimates of flows between sectors are not sufficiently reliable for measuring the number of people moving from the public sector into the private sector.

Public Sector: Females

Jessica Morden: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 14 December 2011, Official Report, column 760W, on private and public sector: females, how many women who work in the public sector in Wales earn (a) below and (b) above £21,000; and how many women who earn above £21,000 have reached the top of their pay band.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 3 January 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question which was pursuant to the Answer of 14 December 2011, Official Report, column 760W, on private and public sector: females, how many women who work in the public sector in Wales earn (a) below and (b) above £21,000; and how many women who earn above £21,000 have reached the top of their pay band. (87803)
	Annual levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), carried out in April each year, and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay who have been in the same job for more than a year. ASHE methodology cannot be used to provide estimates of the numbers of employees whose earnings is less than a specific amount, but can be used to provide estimates of percentage of employees in that category.
	In April 2011, 58 per cent of all female employees working in the public sector in Wales earned less than £21,000 and 42 per cent earned above £21,000.
	ONS does not collect data on employees that have reached the top of their pay band.

Public Sector: Morale

Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent assessment he has made of the level of morale among public sector workers.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office does not collect information on the level of morale among all public sector workers.
	The Cabinet Office carries out an annual survey of staff attitudes across the civil service. The high-level results of the 2011 Civil Service People Survey were published on the civil service website on 23rd November 2011:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/improving/employee-engagement-in-the-civil-service/people-survey-2011

Public Sector: Pensions

Bill Esterson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to meet representatives of public sector staff to discuss proposed changes to their pensions.

Francis Maude: The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander), and I have been jointly leading discussions with a TUC delegation, as representatives of public sectors workers, since February 2011.
	I refer the hon. Member to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury’s statement to the House on 20 December 2011, Official Report, columns 1201-17, regarding 2011 the conclusion of public sector pension talks.

Public Sector: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he plans to review the level of private sector involvement in the procurement of public services; and if he will make a statement.

Francis Maude: The Government are committed to implementing best practice throughout public sector procurement. To that end, I recently announced a package of measures that will change how Government buys from the private sector, to support business and promote growth.
	In implementing these measures, we will provide an open door for current and future suppliers to discuss upcoming procurement opportunities; we will publish rolling medium-term pipelines of procurement opportunities (pipelines for ICT, facilities management, construction and infrastructure are already online); and we will work with industry to identify and address any key capabilities needed to meet future demand.
	In addition, we have implemented a two-way commercial interchange pilot programme with industry to bring private sector expertise into government and interchange with our procurers who will benefit from experience of private sector best practices.

Public Sector: Procurement

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will publish information on how his Department intends to break down public service procurement contracts into smaller contracts and ensure that voluntary and community organisations benefit from any such activity.

Francis Maude: The decision to break up contracts into lots has to be taken on a case by case basis. In this respect, the Cabinet Office will work with Departments to look at their future contract pipelines to see what can or should be broken down.
	From January 2012 Departments will be introducing Lean procurement techniques to both speed up Government procurement and drive greater value. This will include greater focus on pre-procurement activities including looking at opportunities to break contracts down to ensure that SMEs, and voluntary and community organisations can compete for more Government contracts.

Public Sector: Stress

Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent assessment has been made of the rates of (a) stress, (b) depression and (c) anxiety disorders among public sector workers.

Francis Maude: The Cabinet Office does not collect the information requested for the public sector. With regard to the civil service, this is a matter which is delegated to individual Departments to determine.

Public Sector: Trade Unions

Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 6 December 2011, Official Report, column 272W, on public sector: trade union officials, when he expects the consultation to commence; whether the consultation will be open to the general public; when he expects to publish his recommendations for change to be included in the consultation document; and when he expects a new framework for facility time to be implemented.

Francis Maude: The Government intend to commence consultation in the new year with civil service trade unions on facility time.

Third Sector

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what visits (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department made to voluntary and community organisations in each month between June and December 2011.

Nick Hurd: As the Minister for Civil Society, I frequently visit voluntary and community sector organisations across all regions of the country. I also host regular meetings with various organisations as well as continuing the practice of inviting all MPs to bring local voluntary sector organisations to the Cabinet Office for meetings. Between June and December, I have visited over 35 such organisations in the UK.
	The latest details of meetings between Cabinet Office Ministers and external organisations are available on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-external-organisations-april-june

Trade Unions

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what meetings he had with representatives of trades unions in 2011.

Francis Maude: Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-external-organisations

Voluntary Work: Young People

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the proportion of young people eligible to take part in National Citizens Service pilots who have taken part in such pilots; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: Approximately 8,400 young people took part In the first National Citizen Service pilots in 2011. In August 2011 there were an estimated 619,000 16-year-olds in England. In 2012, there will be 30,000 places on National Citizen Service and in 2013 there will be 60,000 places. The Government are committed to expanding the number of places available every year in order for an increasing proportion of 16-year-olds to be able to take part in National Citizen Service.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of young people from hard-to-reach families eligible to take part in National Citizens Service pilots that have taken part in such pilots.

Nick Hurd: Officials are currently working with the independent evaluation team to compile data on the numbers, profile and background of young people taking part in NCS in 2011. This information will be published as part of the independent research findings in February 2012.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the (a) socio-economic background, (b) gender and (c) region of residence of participants in the National Citizens Service; if he will publish the results of that assessment; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Hurd: Officials are currently compiling data on the numbers, profile and background of young people taking part in NCS in 2011. This information will be published as part of the independent research findings in February 2012.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the (a) social and (b) ethnic backgrounds of those who participated in the National Citizen Service in 2011.

Nick Hurd: Officials are currently compiling data on the numbers, profile and background of young people taking part in NCS in 2011. This information will be published as part of the independent research findings in February 2012.

Voluntary Work: Young People

Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he has any plans to encourage representatives from voluntary and community organisations to visit schools and further education colleges to raise awareness of volunteering amongst students.

Nick Hurd: Promoting social action amongst all age groups, including volunteering, is a key part of the Government's vision for the Big Society.
	The Giving White Paper, published in May 2011, outlined a number of measures that will support the creation of a culture of giving both time and money among all age groups. These include over £40 million of funding over the next two years to support volunteering, giving and volunteering infrastructure by way of the Social Action Fund, Challenge Prizes and Local Infrastructure Fund. Furthermore there is £1 million to support Youthnet which runs the volunteering website:
	www.do-it.org.uk
	Through National Citizen Service we are providing support to young people to participate in .a programme of personal and social development culminating in a social action project which they design and deliver in their local area. This rewarding experience has awakened in many an interest in contributing to the life of their community through voluntary activity. Schools also encourage their pupils to participate in activities in and out of school, as part of their own development and engagement with the community but it is for them to decide which organisations they wish to work with.
	The Department is also continuing to provide core funding to the Citizenship Foundation to enable it to continue its work to help build a culture of giving in schools through its Go-Givers programme, for primary age school children, and Giving Nation Challenge programme aimed at secondary schools.

Wales

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many posts in Wales in departments which are the responsibility of the UK Government there were on 5 May (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and what estimate he has made of the number of such posts in (i) 2012, (ii) 2013 and (iii) 2014.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated January 2012
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many posts in Wales, in departments which are the responsibility of the UK Government, there were on 5 May (a) 2010 and (b) 2011; and what estimate he has made of the number of such posts in (i) 2012, (ii) 2013 and (iii) 2014. 88440
	Estimates of regional Civil Service employment are published annually by the Office for National Statistics on the National Statistics website. The data available refer to the survey reference dates as at 31 March 2010 and 31 March 2011.
	The number of people employed in Wales by home Civil Service departments, excluding Welsh Government and Estyn, was 29,254 in 2010 and 27,581 in 2011.
	The Office for National Statistics is unable to provide forecasts for future years.

JUSTICE

Chief Coroner

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the likely cost to the public purse per annum of the post of Chief Coroner.

Jonathan Djanogly: We are still in discussions with the judiciary about the implementation of the office, including whether the Chief Coroner will be a High Court judge or a Circuit judge and what support he or she will require, which will determine the annual running costs.

Bail and Accommodation Support Service: Thanet

Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department has let any contracts for (a) approved premises and (b) bail accommodation and support services for the re-homing of ex-offenders in Thanet.

Crispin Blunt: The information is as follows:
	(a) I can confirm that there are no approved premises in Thanet.
	(b) The contract for the bail accommodation and support service is a national contract. I can confirm that there is no property for this service available in my hon. Friend’s constituency.

Contempt of Court: Non-Molestation Orders

Helen Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what arrangements his Department makes to record the numbers of (a) convictions, (b) prosecutions and (c) arrests for an offence of contempt of court where the offence related to a breach of the terms of a non-molestation injunction order;
	(2)  how many (a) convictions and (b) prosecutions for offences of contempt of court where the offence related to a breach of the terms of a non-molestation injunction order there were in each year since 2001;
	(3)  how many (a) convictions and (b) prosecutions for breach of a non-molestation injunction order there were in each year since 2005.

Crispin Blunt: Information on proceedings and findings of guilt are routinely collected by the individual magistrates courts and the Crown court. This information is then collated centrally to provide an overall picture for England and Wales. However, as in the answer I previously gave on 16 November 2010, Official Report, column 669W, there were issues in the central recording of offences resulting from a breach of a previously imposed court order. These issues have now been resolved allowing information on prosecutions and convictions for breach of a non-molestation order to be collated from 2009 onwards.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers arrests for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, broken down at a main offence group level, covering categories such as violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery. From these centrally reported categories it is not possible to separately identify offences relating to breaches of non-molestation orders. Offences of contempt of court are summary offences and do not form part of the arrests collection.
	There are currently no plans to record the number of arrests for breaches of the terms of non-molestation orders.
	The offence of breaching a non-molestation order under section 42A of the Family Law Act 1996 as added by section 1 of the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004 states: sub-section (3) where a person is convicted of an offence under this section in respect of any conduct, that conduct is not punishable as a contempt of court; and (4) a person cannot be convicted of an offence under this section in respect of any conduct which has been punished as a contempt of court.
	The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for breach of a non-molestation order in England and Wales in 2009 and 2010 (latest available) can be viewed in the table.
	Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in the spring of 2012.
	
		
			 Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for breach of a non-molestation order (1) , England and Wales, 2009 and 2010 (2,) () (3) 
			  Proceeded against Found guilty (5) 
			 2009(4) 1,933 2,279 
			 2010 2,257 2,626 
			 (1) Includes offences under Family Law Act 1996, S.42A as added by Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, s.1. (2) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (4) Following publication of Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 2009 data have been revised. (5) Persons found guilty In a given year may exceed those proceeded against as a defendant may be prosecuted for a different offence at the magistrates court from that which they are later found guilty of at the Crown court. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Co-operatives

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps (a) his Department and (b) those bodies for which his Department is responsible are taking to mark UN Year of the Co-operative 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice will work closely with Cabinet Office, the Mutuals Taskforce and Co-operatives UK to develop and celebrate the achievements of co-operative organisations during the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives.
	The Mutuals Taskforce recently indicated it will play a co-ordinating role for Government Departments to support the International Year of Co-operatives, with Co-operatives UK leading the taskforce’s work in this area. The National Offender Management Service is working with Co-operatives UK on the support of mutuals and has had regular meetings with the Mutuals Taskforce, including the chair and vice chair.
	The Ministry of Justice is actively exploring opportunities to encourage public service mutuals across its services.

Courts

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of trial outcomes were (a) effective, (b) ineffective and (c) cracked in each year from 1997 to 2010.

Jonathan Djanogly: Table 1 provides the percentage of all listed trials that were recorded as either “cracked”, “ineffective” or “effective” for each year from 2003 to 2010 for the magistrates courts. Table 2 provides the same statistics for the Crown court from 1997 to 2010. Data prior to 2003 were not recorded for the magistrates courts and are therefore not available.
	
		
			 Table 1. The magistrates court 
			 Proportion of listed trials which were “ineffective”, “cracked” or “effective”, England and Wales, 2003 to 2010 
			   Ineffective trials Ineffective trial rate Cracked trials Cracked trial rate Effective trials Effective trial rate 
			  Total listings for trial Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 2003 177,485 52,179 29 67,103 38 58,203 33 
			 2004 193,608 50,386 26 72,070 37 71,152 37 
			 2005 182,500 39,634 22 67,193 37 75,673 41 
			 2006 180,950 35,044 19 66,858 37 79,048 44 
			 2007 189,830 35,150 19 72,565 38 82,115 43 
			 2008 183,511 33,423 18 70,366 38 79,722 43 
			 2009 179,858 33,609 19 68,080 38 78,169 43 
			 2010 179,794 32,376 18 69,445 39 77,973 43 
			 Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding and those that would round to 0% have been given to one decimal place. Source: Cracked and ineffective trials monitoring form. Business information Division, HM Courts and Tribunals Service HM Courts and Tribunals Service Performance Database (OPT) 
		
	
	
		
			 Table 2. The Crown court 
			 Proportion of listed trials which were “ineffective”, “cracked” or “effective”, England and Wales, 1997 to 2010 
			   Ineffective trials Ineffective trial rate Cracked trials Cracked trial rate Effective trials Effective trial rate 
			  Total listings for trial Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 1997 54,233 15,063 28 16,760 31 22,410 41 
			 1998 53,806 14,105 26 17,393 32 22,308 41 
			 1999 50,791 12,444 25 16,502 32 21,845 43 
			 2000 51,209 12,407 24 17,224 34 21,578 42 
			 2001 52,041 12,556 24 17,877 34 21,608 42 
			 2002 53,766 12,559 23 19,505 36 21,702 40 
			 2003 52,066 11,311 22 19,820 38 20,935 40 
			 2004 46,856 7,859 17 18,305 39 20,692 44 
			 2005 38,244 5,216 14 14,575 38 18,453 48 
			 2006 36,659 4,571 12 14,398 39 17,690 48 
			 2007 37,285 4,511 12 15,507 42 17,267 46 
			 2008 35,985 4,169 12 14,772 41 17,044 47 
			 2009 39,262 4,926 13 16,437 42 17,899 46 
			 2010 43,261 5,921 14 18,389 43 18,951 44 
			 Note: Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding and those that would round to 0% have been given to one decimal place. Source: HM Courts and Tribunals Service CREST system

Courts

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the recommendation in the Civil Justice Council's recent report on Access to Justice by Litigants in Person that the Personal Support Unit network should be extended to more courts across England and Wales.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice is currently considering the Civil Justice Council's recent report and is also liaising with the Council on how best to take forward their recommendations for dealing with litigants in person, including those relating to the Personal Support Unit.

Courts

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the average unit cost of a sitting day in each court for which his Department is responsible in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jonathan Djanogly: Cost is not available by individual location but the average costs of a sitting day in the courts for which Her Majesty's Court and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the year ended 31 March 2011 were as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			 Crown court 2,080 
			 High Court—regional 1,926 
			 County courts 1,619 
			 Magistrates courts 1,323 
		
	
	Costs comprise all judicial and administrative costs directly incurred by courts, including accommodation.
	In addition HMCTS is responsible for the operation of the High Court and Court of Appeal comprising the Royal Courts of Justice. The management structure of the Royal Courts of Justice and the complexity of cases heard make it difficult to attribute costs to the specific divisions comprising the Court of Appeal and High Court. As a result HMCTS does not evaluate average costs for the divisions and an overall Royal Courts of Justice average is not considered meaningful.

Debt Collection

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  when he expects to conclude his consultation on proposals to protect people from aggressive bailiffs;
	(2)  what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to (a) consolidate and (b) reform laws relating to bailiffs.

Jonathan Djanogly: We expect to consult on proposals to protect people from aggressive bailiffs shortly. It will be a full public consultation which will run for 12 weeks. We will publish the Government response and our intended next steps following a detailed analysis of the responses received to the consultation.

Debt Collection

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many meetings his Department had with bailiff organisations in the last 18 months; and what the (a) date and (b) attendance list was of each meeting.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice holds regular meetings with bailiff organisations to discuss the development of policy proposals and the potential impact of new policy on the enforcement industry. HM Courts and Tribunals Service holds regular meetings with bailiff organisations that are contracted to enforce orders of the court. These meetings are used to monitor performance. Details of the meetings that have taken place in the last 18 months are provided in a table which has been deposited in the Library.

Defamation Bill: Draft

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to publish his response to the report by the Joint Committee on the Draft Defamation Bill, HC 930-I.

Jonathan Djanogly: We intend to publish the Government response to the report of the Joint Committee as early as possible in the new year.

Departmental Apprentices

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many apprentices were employed by each public body for which his Department is responsible between (a) April 2010 and March 2011 and (b) April and December 2011; and how many apprenticeships he expects each public body to sponsor between (i) January and March 2012 and (ii) April and March 2013.

Kenneth Clarke: April 2010 to March 2011 and April 2011 to December 2011 were periods of major restructuring and downsizing in the Ministry of Justice. We were unable to run any external apprentice recruitment campaigns as we did not have any vacancies which were suitable for apprenticeships during this period. The Ministry aims to employ two external apprentices in the period January to March 2012. Officials are currently working with Civil Service HR and Civil Service Learning to agree our commitment for the period April 2012 to March 2013
	The Ministry continues to recognise the importance of apprenticeships and has encouraged the use of modern apprenticeships among our current work force. We now have 1,700 trained apprentices working in the Ministry and its constituent bodies. We intend to return to the provision of good quality apprenticeship opportunities as soon as we have recruitment needs to permit it.

Departmental Equality

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what equality impact assessments his Department has carried out since May 2010; and for what purpose in each case.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) considers equality issues in exercising its functions, to comply with equality legislation and to ensure it understands how its activities will affect different people. It provides information about this consideration in various ways. In the specified period, this information was sometimes published in the form of an equality impact assessment, although there has never been a legal requirement to produce such a document.
	Information about the number of such documents published by the MOJ is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were working in his Department on (a) 11 May 2010 and (b) 8 December 2011.

Kenneth Clarke: The Office of National Statistics (ONS) publishes the number of staff employed by central Government Departments on a quarterly basis. The Ministry of Justice provides workforce reports for the ONS to meet common publication dates.
	The staff figures for the Ministry show that there were 78,620 employed as at 31 March 2010 and 74,560 employed on 30 September 2011 (the latest published information).
	The staff numbers provided add together civil servants from the following:
	Ministry of Justice (excluding agencies), National Offender Management Services, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, The Office of the Public Guardian, Scotland Office (for 31 March 2010 only) and Wales Office (for 31 March 2010 only).

Departmental Recruitment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department spent on recruitment agencies in each month since September 2011.

Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice only commits to the use of temporary staff through recruitment agencies when there is an operational necessity to do so. Recruitment agencies supply contractors, interims and agency staff for a fee, which includes the cost of the sourced labour and an element for their administration. These external resources are only sourced to meet skills, capacity and capability shortages in frontline and business critical roles. They are deployed in temporary positions when it has been established that there are no suitable internal resources available. When doing so the Ministry ensures that it receives value for money and complies with procurement legislation, HM Treasury's rules and Cabinet Office Efficiency and Reform Group requirements.
	The amount of monies paid to recruitment agencies to cover their fees and costs for temporary staff, such as agency (clerical and administrative) staff, interim managers, specialist contractors together with the fees incurred for sourcing staff for the Ministry has significantly reduced since 2009-10. They are over 50% less. For the months of September 2011 to November 2011 the monies spent is given in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			 September 2011 5,159,768 
			 October 2011 4,886,987 
			 November 2011 5,651,547 
			 Note: All figures are inclusive of VAT. The above figures also include the Ministry of Justice's executive agencies. 
		
	
	These figures amount to £15.69 million, which is less than 3% of the total employee pay bill for this period.

Departmental Redundancy Pay

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much redundancy pay was paid to civil servants in his Department in each month between September and November 2011.

Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice (including National Offender Management Service, HM Courts and Tribunal Service and the Office of Public Guardian) spent £1,924,475 on civil servant redundancies in the period between September and November 2011. The majority of those redundancies were at senior management levels (Grade 7 and above).
	The breakdown by month was £1,027,760 in September 2011; £794,195 in October 2011; and £102,520 in November 2011.
	This does not include costs associated with the Ministry's Voluntary Early Departure Scheme, which provides the same terms as Voluntary Redundancy under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme.

Departmental Secondment

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what secondments there have been to his Department from (a) industry and (b) the third sector since May 2010; what the (i) purpose and (ii) duration is of each secondment; and whether each secondment was to a policy development role.

Crispin Blunt: The data requested are not held comprehensively, centrally. Secondments can be agreed locally between managers and external organisations, and staff seconded into MOJ may remain on the payroll of their own organisation. To answer the question on the scale requested would require contacting each MOJ prison, court and office individually and asking them to check their records for any data on secondments during the relevant period. Each case would need to be investigated to identify the source of the secondees, plus the purpose and the duration of each secondment. This would incur disproportionate cost.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many temporary staff were recruited to his Department between September and November 2011.

Kenneth Clarke: Currently, a recruitment freeze is in place, which affects all external recruitment into the civil service, with exemptions allowed for business critical and frontline posts. For the period September to November 2011, the Ministry of Justice and its agencies (National Offender Management Services, HM Courts and Tribunal Service and the Office of Public Guardian) recruited a total of 297 temporary staff (fixed-term employees) into civil service posts. The majority of these fixed-term employees are junior frontline staff.
	The Ministry both recruits people in line with the Civil Service Commissioners recruitment principles and is committed to recruitment on merit through fair and open competition.

Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many restraining orders under section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 have been made by a court on its own volition since September 2009;
	(2)  how many restraining orders under section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 have been breached since September 2009; and in how many cases the breach led to a (a) prison sentence and (b) fine;
	(3)  how many people have been jailed for more than 12 months following a breach of a restraining order under section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 since September 2009.

Crispin Blunt: The number of restraining orders imposed at all courts in England and Wales under sections 5 and 5A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (as amended and inserted respectively by section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004) can be found in table 1 for the year 2009-10 (latest available). Centrally held data do not identify if a restraining order was imposed solely on the court’s volition.
	Table 2 provides information on the number of restraining orders under sections 5 and 5A breached, by number fined and number given immediate custody.
	Annual court proceedings data for 2011 are planned for publication in spring 2012.
	
		
			 Table 1: Number of restraining orders issued at all courts under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, England and Wales,  2009- 10 (1, 2) 
			 Description 2009 2010 
			 Restraining Order Section 5 5,073 10,094 
			 Restraining Order Section 5A(3) 0 647 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Came into force 30 September 2009. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services: Ministry of Justice. 
		
	
	
		
			 Table2: Number of defendants sentenced at all courts for breach of a restraining order issued under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, by number fined and number given immediate custody, England and Wales, 2009-10 (1, 2) 
			 2009 
			  Sentence breakdown 
			  Of which: 
			 Description Sentenced Fined Immediate custody Up to and including 12 months Over 12 months Other sentence (3) 
			 Breach of a restraining order section 5 1,329 141 457 430 27 731 
			 Breach of a restraining order issued on acquittal section 5A(4) 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			 20 10 
			  Sentence breakdown 
			  Of which: 
			 Description Sentenced Fined Immediate custody Up to and including 12 months Over 12 months Other sentence (3) 
			 Breach of a restraining order section 5 2,798 321 904 863 41 1,573 
			 Breach of a restraining order issued on acquittal section 5A(4) 1 0 0 0 0 1 
			 (1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Includes: absolute/conditional discharge; community sentence; suspended sentence and otherwise dealt with. (4) Came into force 30 September 2009. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services: Ministry of Justice.

Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in how many cases has a defendant appealed the imposition of a restraining order under Section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 since September 2009; and how many were upheld.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice holds statistical information in relation to the number of appeals dealt with in the criminal courts (including the Crown court and the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal). However, central administrative databases for courts do not store information on the number of these defendants who have challenged the imposition of a restraining order under section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.
	While such appeals will be logged onto the administrative computer systems used in the Crown court and the Court of Appeal, they cannot be distinguished from other types of appeals. As such, the information requested can be obtained through the manual inspection of individual case files held by the courts only at disproportionate cost.
	Statistics are published on the number of appeals received and dealt with against sentences in England and Wales, from 2006 to 2010, in the Ministry of Justice's statistical bulletin “Judicial and Court Statistics”, the most recent edition of which was published on 30 June 2011. The number of appeals against sentences dealt with in the Crown court can be found in table 4.10 and those dealt with in the Court of Appeal in table 7.6. The report is available on the ministry's website at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/courts-and-sentencing/judicial-annual.htm

Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what training (a) police and (b) prosecutors receive in the implementation of section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.

Nick Herbert: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Home Department.
	A Home Office circular on the implementation of section 12 was issued to all chief constables of police and chief crown prosecutors in September 2009. It is for the individual police forces to decide whether any specific training is required on section 12. The e-learning programme that is available to prosecutors and associate prosecutors on domestic violence has been updated to include information regarding the implementation of section 12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 and is available on the Home Office Website. In addition to this training, the legal guidance on restraining orders has been updated and circulated to all Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) staff. This is available on the CPS website.

Email

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance his Department provides to Ministers, special advisers and officials on the use of personal email accounts to conduct official business.

Kenneth Clarke: I refer the hon. Member to my answer given on 17 October 2011, Official Report, column 667W, to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Jack Dromey).
	The Ministerial Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, and the Civil Service Code set out how Ministers, officials and special advisers should conduct Government business.

European Court of Human Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Hanif and Khan v. the United Kingdom, what his policy is on police officers serving on juries.

Kenneth Clarke: UKHL 37.
	The Government are currently considering the decision in Hanif and Khan v. United Kingdom.

European Court of Human Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Hanif and Khan v. the United Kingdom; and whether he has any plans to bring forward legislative proposals in this area.

Kenneth Clarke: The Government are currently considering the judgment, however the European Court of Human Rights was very clear that they were not deciding whether it is, in general, compatible with article 6 ECHR for a police officer to serve on a jury. We therefore do not envisage bringing forward legislative proposals in this area.

Fisheries: North West

David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were prosecuted for illegal cockle fishing in the North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority area from May 2010 to 30 November 2011.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings Database holds information on offences provided by the statutes under which proceedings are brought but not all the circumstances of each case. It is not possible to identify from this centrally held information, of those proceedings under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, those specifically related to the North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority area.
	The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) advise that the management of the cockle fishery is the responsibility of North Western Inshore Fishery and Conservation Authority (IFCA). The IFCA is responsible for the enforcement of fishery byelaws in its waters. It is our understanding that there have been no prosecutions for illegal cockle fishing between May 2010 and November 2011 in this area.

Harassment

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many police information notices or harassment warnings have been issued by each police force in England and Wales in each of the last five years.

Lynne Featherstone: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Justice.
	The information requested is not recorded centrally.
	The Home Office launched a consultation in November 2011 which seeks views on how we can protect victims of stalking more effectively, including the use of police information notices.

Homicide: Life Imprisonment

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the Homicide Review Advisory Group's report on public opinion and the penalty for murder; and what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy on mandatory life sentences of the recommendations in the report.

Crispin Blunt: The Government remains of the view that the offence of murder should be marked with the most serious of sentences and it has no plans to abolish the mandatory life sentence for murder.

Human Trafficking

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the (a) nationality and (b) gender is of each suspected victim of trafficking referred to in the Trafficking Victim Support Scheme of the Salvation Army in the last five years; in which parliamentary constituency each such case was located; and which agency referred each case to the scheme.

Crispin Blunt: The Government-funded support service for adult victims of human trafficking in England and Wales administered by The Salvation Army commenced on 1 July 2011. The information provided in the following table covers the period 1 July to 15 December 2011. In the interests of victim safety, the region in which the victim was encountered is provided, rather than the specific parliamentary constituency.
	Prior to the commencement of the current arrangements, support services for adult victims of human trafficking were provided by the charities Eaves Housing for Women and Migrant Helpline. The requested information is not available for this period.
	
		
			 Nationality Gender Region Referring organisation 
			 Nigerian Female South East NGO 
			 Slovakian Male South East NGO 
			 Hungarian Male West Midlands Police 
			 Vietnamese Male West Midlands Youth Justice 
			 UK Male West Midlands Police 
			 Irish Male West Midlands Police 
			 Romanian Female West Midlands NHS 
			 Slovakian Male North West Police 
			 Czech Male North West Police 
			 Lithuanian Male Yorkshire Police 
			 Lithuanian Male Yorkshire Police 
			 Nigerian Female South East NGO 
			 Czech Female South East Police 
			 Sierra Leone Female South East Police 
			 Vietnamese Female East Midlands Legal representative 
			 Lithuanian Female South East Police 
			 Kenyan Female South East Police 
			 Togolese Female South East NGO 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 Romanian Female South East Police 
			 Romanian Female South East NGO 
			 Nigerian Female East UK Border Agency 
			 Albanian Female South West Legal representative 
			 Nigerian Female South East Prison service 
			 Sri Lankan Female Yorkshire NGO 
			 Indian Male West Midlands Police 
			 Ugandan Female South East Legal representative 
			 Lithuanian Male South East Police 
			 Lithuanian Male South East Police 
			 Romanian Female South West Police 
			 Romanian Female South East Police 
			 Nigerian Female South East Self-referral 
			 Czech Male Yorkshire Police 
			 Ugandan Female South East Police 
			 Ghanaian Female South East Legal representative 
			 Chinese Male East Police 
			 Polish Female South East Police 
			 Nigerian Female South East Legal representative 
			 Nigerian Female North East NGO 
			 Romanian Female West Midlands NHS 
		
	
	
		
			 Romanian Male West Midlands NHS 
			 Nigerian Female East NGO 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Slovakian Female Yorkshire NGO 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Slovakian Female Yorkshire NGO 
			 Slovakian Female Yorkshire NGO 
			 Philippine Female South East Police 
			 Ghanaian Female South East Self-referral 
			 Nigerian Female South East Self-referral 
			 Thai Male South East Police 
			 Ugandan Female South East Legal representative 
			 Nigerian Female South East Legal representative 
			 Benin Female West Midlands NGO 
			 Nigerian Female South East Legal representative 
			 Sierra Leone Female South East NGO 
			 Ethiopian Female West Midlands Social services 
			 Nigerian Female South East NGO 
			 Nigerian Female South East Social services 
			 Rwandan/Ugandan Female South East NGO 
			 Czech Male North West Police 
			 Czech Male North West Police 
			 Czech Male North West Police 
			 Hungarian Male South East NGO 
			 Brazilian/Italian Female South East NGO 
			 Russian Female South East UK Border Agency 
			 Polish Female Yorkshire NGO 
			 Indonesian Female South East UK Border Agency 
			 Lithuanian Male North West Police 
			 Lithuanian Male North West Police 
			 Albanian Female South East NGO 
			 Indonesian Female North West Police 
			 Hungarian Female Yorkshire Self-referral 
			 Lesotho Female South East NGO 
			 Lithuanian Female South East NGO 
			 Romanian Female West Midlands NHS 
			 Romanian Female South East NHS 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Slovakian Female^ South West Social services 
			 Slovakian Male North West Police 
			 Romanian Female South East NGO 
			 Nigerian Female South East Prison service 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 Polish Male East Police 
			 Polish Male East Police 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 Polish Male East Police 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 Latvian Male East Police 
			 Polish Male East Police 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 Lithuanian Male East Police 
			 UK Male East Police 
		
	
	
		
			 UK Male East Police 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 Nigerian Female South East Prison service 
			 Nigerian Female South East Police 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire Social services 
			 Czech Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Czech Female South East Self-referral 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Hungarian Male South East Police 
			 Hungarian Male South East Police 
			 Hungarian Male South East Police 
			 Hungarian Male South East Police 
			 Czech Male West Midlands Police 
			 Slovakian Male South East Police 
			 Romanian Female South East Police 
			 Nigerian Female South East Police 
			 Nigerian Female Wales Legal representative 
			 Romanian Female West Midlands NHS 
			 Romanian Male West Midlands NHS 
			 Chinese Female South West NGO 
			 Romanian Female West Midlands Police 
			 Vietnamese Male South East Legal representative 
			 Ghanaian Female South East NGO 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Nigerian Female Yorkshire NGO 
			 Nigerian Female Yorkshire NGO 
			 Sri Lankan Female South East NGO 
			 Romanian Female South East Police 
			 Chinese Female South East UK Human Trafficking Centre 
			 Malawi an Female South East Legal representative 
			 Polish Female South West Police 
			 Nigerian Female East UK Border Agency 
			 Latvian Female South West Police 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire Police 
			 Nigerian Female East NGO 
			 Bangladeshi Female South East NGO 
			 Chinese Female East Police 
			 Hungarian Female East Midlands Police 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Chinese Male South East NGO 
			 Latvian Female North West Police 
			 Latvian Female North West Police 
			 Albanian Female South East Social services 
			 Romanian Female South East NGO 
			 South African Female South East NHS 
			 Nigerian Female South East NGO 
			 St Lucian Female South East Police 
			 Jamaican Female South East Social services 
			 Ugandan Female South East Police 
			 Ghanaian Female South East NGO 
			 Guinean Female Yorkshire NGO 
			 Ugandan Female Wales UK Border Agency 
		
	
	
		
			 Vietnamese Female North West Legal representative 
			 Romanian Male South East Police 
			 Slovakian Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Romanian Male South East Social services 
			 Romanian Male South East Social services 
			 Romanian Male South East Social services 
			 Albanian Female South West UK Human Trafficking Centre 
			 Guinean Female South East UK Border Agency 
			 Slovakian Female South East NGO 
			 Polish Male Wales NGO 
			 Nigerian Female South East Social services 
			 Ugandan Female South East UK Border Agency 
			 Ghanaian Female East NGO 
			 Ugandan Female South East NGO 
			 Albanian Female South East Legal representative 
			 Guinean Female East Prison service 
			 Chinese Female Yorkshire NHS 
			 Romanian Female Yorkshire Police 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Italian Female Yorkshire NGO 
			 Nigerian Male South East NGO 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Polish Male South East NGO 
			 Slovakian Female Yorkshire Police 
			 Vietnamese Female South East Police 
			 Romanian Female South East NGO 
			 Romanian Female South East Police 
			 Albanian Female South East Self-referral 
			 Ghanaian Female South East Self-referral 
			 Slovakian Male South East NGO 
			 Slovakian Female South East NGO 
			 Chinese Female South East Social services 
			 Lithuanian Male South East NGO 
			 Hungarian Male South East Police 
			 Nigerian Female South East UK Human Trafficking Centre 
			 Nigerian Female East Self-referral 
			 Nigerian Female South East Self-referral 
			 Cameroon Female South East NGO 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Vietnamese Male South East Social services 
			 Albanian Female Wales Legal representative 
			 Vietnamese Female London Social services 
			 UK Female London NGO 
			 Hungarian Female Leicestershire Police 
			 Romanian Female London Police 
			 Vietnamese Female West Midlands Legal representative 
			 Czech Male Manchester NGO 
			 Slovakian Male North West Police 
			 Czech Female North West Police 
			 UK Male East Police 
			 UK Male West Midlands Media 
			 Nigerian Female London Legal representative 
			 Ugandan Female London NGO 
			 Latvian Female South West Police 
		
	
	
		
			 Polish Male South West NGO 
			 Polish Female South West NGO 
			 Romanian Female West Midlands Police 
			 Polish Male Yorkshire NGO 
			 Albanian Female West Midlands UKBA 
			 Somali Female South East Social services 
			 Not known Female South East Self-referral 
			 Romanian Female West Midlands NHS 
			 Albanian Female Yorkshire UK Border Agency 
			 Equatorial Guinean/Spanish Female East NGO

Information Commissioner

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the savings required to be made by the Information Commissioner to meet the budgets for 2011-12.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Information Commissioner's Office is funded by two streams of income. Data protection work is funded by notification fees paid by Data Controllers. Freedom of information work is funded by grant in aid from the Ministry of Justice.
	For the financial year 2011-12 there will be a £0.7 million reduction in grant-in-aid, which forms part of a four-year projected profile to make savings required by the Department over the course of the current spending review.

Japan Tobacco

Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether any (a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have received hospitality from Japan Tobacco International since May 2010.

Kenneth Clarke: Information about hospitality received by Ministers and special advisers is published quarterly by Departments. Information for the period 13 May 2010 to 30 June 2011 can be accessed on departmental websites. Information for 1 July onwards will be published in due course.

Legal Aid Scheme: Social Security Benefits

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions he has had with (a) the Department for Work and Pensions and (b) other Departments on the effect on welfare reform of removing welfare benefits from the scope of legal aid.

Jonathan Djanogly: Extensive discussions were held with other Government Departments as part of both the policy development and clearance processes, and these discussions considered potential effects. Ultimately the effects of the changes will be determined by behavioural responses to them. MOJ is currently considering a number of options that could contribute to monitoring the impact of the reforms on clients.

Non-Governmental Organisations

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much direct funding of £100,000 or more his Department provided to each partner organisation (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement.

Kenneth Clarke: The Department has provided funding of £100,000 or more to each of the following arm's length bodies for the periods (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-2012.
	
		
			 £ million 
			 Name of the arm's length body 2010-11 2011-12 
			 Youth Justice Board 418.0 393.9 
			 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority 278.0 202.2 
			 Parole Board 10.2 10.0 
			 Administrative Justice and Tribunal Council 1.3 0.7 
			 Official Solicitor and Public Trustee 5.0 5.2 
			 Judicial Office 14.2 19.5 
			 HM Chief Inspectorate if Prisons 3.8 3.6 
			 HM Chief Inspectorate of Probation 4.0 3.8 
			 Criminal Cases Review Commission 6.5 6.1 
			 Independent Monitoring Boards 2.8 2.5 
			 Office of the Information Commissioner 6.4 4.6 
			 Judicial Appointments Commission 6.86 5.5 
			 Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman 0.6 0.5 
			 Law Commission 3.8 3.2 
			 Legal Services Commission 2,229.3 2,251.4 
			 Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 5.7 5.5 
			 Sentencing Council for England and Wales 1.8 1.6 
			 Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses 1.4 1.1 
		
	
	The Department has also provided funding of £100,000 or more to each of the following executive agencies for the periods (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-2012.
	
		
			 £ million 
			 Name of the executive agency 2010-11 2011-12 
			 National Offender Management 3,821.2 3,621.6 
			 Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service 1,109.0 1,193.7 
			 Office of the Public Guardian (1.6) (0.5) 
		
	
	The figures given above are total resource budget. Figures for 2010-11 are based on the final outturn. The 2011-12 figures are based on the resource budget allocation as at 31 October 2011, so may vary depending on actual expenditure and the Ministry's priorities.
	The Office of the Public Guardian receives more income than its expenditure. This is reflected in the organisation's budget.

Offenders: Compensation

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average compensation paid by offenders was in (a) magistrates' courts and (b) Crown courts from 1997 to 2010.

Jonathan Djanogly: Her Majesty's Courts Service does not hold centrally the average compensation paid by offenders. This data could be provided only at disproportionate cost as it would require a manual search of all fine accounts.

Offenders: Expenditure

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his most recent estimate is of the average cost per year of keeping an offender in (a) an adult prison, (b) a young offender institution and (c)  a secure training centre by main budget heading for the (i) public and (ii) contracted sector.

Crispin Blunt: The information is as follows.
	Adult prison and Youth Offender Institution
	The following table provides average annual cost per prisoner in England and Wales for adult prisons and Young Offender Institutions (YOI), split by ages 15-21 and 15-17, for the financial year 2010-11 at public and private sector prisons.
	
		
			 Cost per prisoner by adult/YOI and public/private, 2010-11 
			 £ 
			 Prison category Public Private 
			 Adult 35,702 34,864 
			 YOI (ages 15-21) 46,887 n/a 
			 YOI (ages 15-17) 73,885 86,961 
		
	
	
		
			 Breakdown by main budget headings 
			 £ 
			  Adult YO I 
			  Public Private Public (15-21) Public (15-17) Private (15-17) 
			 Direct costs      
			 Payroll 19,398 35 26,638 43,485 483 
			 Non pay 7,349 32,607 8,601 13,965 84,402 
			 Income -1,957 0 -1,451 -1,440 0 
			  24,790 32,642 33,788 56,010 84,885 
			       
			 Allocated and apportioned costs      
			 Accommodation related 3,380 147 4,500 5,042 0 
			 Central costs(1) 5,578 122 6,645 10,879 122 
			 Prisoner Escort and Custody Service 1,954 1,954 1,954 1,954 1,954 
			  10,912 2,223 13,099 17,874 2,075 
			       
			 Total 35,702 34,864 46,887 73,885 88,961 
			 (1) Includes Shared Services Centre, IT, head quarters, restructure costs, etc. Notes: 1. The overall average costs comprise the direct local establishment costs of public and private prisons, increased by an apportionment of relevant costs borne centrally and in the regions by NOMS (as recorded in the addendum to the National Offender Management Service Agency 2010-11 annual report and accounts). This involves some estimation. Expenditure which is met by other Government Departments or directly by the Youth Justice Board, such as expenditure on health and education, is not included. Expenditure recharged to the Youth Justice Board in respect of young people is included. 2. The costs represent the total cost per prisoner at each prison where the majority use at the end of the year was as adult prison, YOI (aged 15-17) or YOI (aged 15-21). There is no adjustment for prisons holding prisoners of more than one category. 3. A split of the YOI (aged 15-21) category to show unit cost information for under-18 juveniles only within those establishments is not available. Furthermore, there are no private YOI establishments that house prisoners in the aged 15-21 category. 4. The public sector and private sector costs are not directly comparable because of differences in accounting treatment and scope of services. 
		
	
	Secure Training Centre
	The cost of a place in a secure training centre for 2011-12 is £170,000. This is the price as at 1 April 2011 and does not include VAT. The Youth Justice Board calculates these costs based upon full occupancy and does not calculate the costs per prisoner. The cost is not broken down by budget heading as the financial mechanism aggregates the full cost of the provision into the price charged to the Youth Justice Board.

Offenders: Rehabilitation

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to complete his work on co-design of the payment by results model.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice is working with other Government Departments to co-design payment by results approaches aimed at achieving shared priorities.
	Two pilots testing the addition of a re-offending outcome into the Department for Work and Pensions' Work Programme are due to begin in summer 2012.
	The Ministry of Justice is also working with the Department for Health and the Home Office to implement a further eight projects, aimed at incentivising drug and alcohol recovery, and including a reducing re-offending outcome. These projects will begin in April 2012.

Police: Crimes of Violence

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the highest number was of previous convictions for assault on a police constable for an individual convicted of an offence of assault on a police constable without being sent to prison in each of the last three years; and how many offences that individual had committed in total at the point of sentence for this offence.

Crispin Blunt: The table shows the highest number of previous convictions for assault on a police constable, for individuals convicted of this offence in the years 2008 to 2010 who received a sentence other than immediate custody. It also shows their total number of previous cautions and convictions. Although these individuals did not go to prison for their index offence, they have all previously been to prison for the same offence. Assault on a police constable is a summary only offence and the sentencing guidelines indicate that a non-custodial sentence, including a fine, would be appropriate where no injury is caused.
	The figure for 2008 is for a male whose first caution or conviction was in 1949. When looking at their previous offences by offence category 45% were for summary offences excluding motoring which includes the offence of assault on a constable.
	The figure for 2009 is for a male whose first caution or conviction was in 1979. When looking at their previous offences by offence category 55% of the previous offences were for summary offences excluding motoring which includes the offence of assault on a constable. In addition, 63% of the offences within the summary offences excluding motoring category were for drunk and disorderly offences.
	The figure for 2010 is for a female whose first caution or conviction was in 1997. When looking at their previous offences by offence category 83% were for summary offences excluding motoring which includes the offence of assault on a constable.
	These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
	
		
			 Highest number of previous convictions for assault on a constable, when convicted of this offence in England and Wales in the years 2008 to 2010, and not going to prison 
			  Number of previous offences 
			  2008 2009 2010 
			 Previous convictions for assault on a constable 36 31 31 
			 Previous cautions and convictions for any offence at time of conviction 241 462 78 
			 Previous immediate custodial sentences for any offence at time of conviction 115 115 23

Prisoners Employment

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure the availability of support to offenders, including those with a learning disability, both to carry out work and to understand the terms of employment in prison; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what representations he has received on (a) the availability of support to offenders to carry out work and (b) to understand the terms of employment in prison; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: Ministers regularly receive representations from interested parties on matters pertaining to support for work for offenders in prison. For example, several peers and representatives of Mencap met Lord McNally in December and discussed such issues.
	Information, advice and guidance is offered to prisoners in England and Wales to support them in making effective choices regarding employment and work based learning both in prison and upon release. Prisoners receive induction and on-going training, supervision and support in the work place undertaken by prison officers and/or workshop instructors and in some cases, peer mentors. In many prison work places industry recognised qualifications are delivered. Work place induction will cover the terms and conditions of employment. Any on-going queries or concerns regarding terms and conditions can be addressed through local complaints and applications procedures.
	In addition, as regards prisoners with, learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD), NOMS has strong policies based around equal opportunities and treating all prisoners equally and with respect, and works in partnership with other, specialist organisations to continually seek to improve the services provided to prisoners. For example working jointly with the Department of Health NOMS are looking to introduce a learning disability screening questionnaire (LDSQ) for use by all prison staff to identify those with a learning difficulty or disability and refer them to specialist support and services. Prison education providers will provide additional learning support, as and when it is required, for prisoners with an identified need through personalised programmes, specialist staff, adaptations and resources, where appropriate.
	In March 2011, the Department of Health published “Positive Practice, Positive Outcomes: A handbook for professionals in the criminal justice system working with offenders with a learning disability.” This guidance is in the public domain and is available online at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_124743
	In October and November 2011 NOMS worked with MENCAP to prepare and run four workshops for prison staff, using group activities to cover basic awareness of learning disabilities/difficulties (LDD) and how such conditions can effect the day to day management of prisoners. Discussions with MENCAP about future LDD awareness for staff and prisoners are ongoing.

Prisoners’ Transfers: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many requests by prisoners in England to transfer to Scottish prisons are under consideration.

Crispin Blunt: 13 applications for transfer from prisoners in England and Wales to prisons in Scotland are under consideration.

Prisoners’ Transfers: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he last met the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the Scottish Government to discuss arrangements for the transfer of prisoners between Scotland and England.

Crispin Blunt: The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), has not met the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the Scottish Government to discuss arrangements for the transfer of prisoners between Scotland and England.
	The process for prisoners transferring between England and Wales and Scotland has been operating successfully since 1997 and there are no plans at this time to review the transfer arrangements. Officials are in regular contact about individual transfer requests.

Prisoners’ Transfers: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) male and (b) female prisoners serving custodial sentences in England were transferred to Scottish prisons in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: From 1 January 2007 to the 31 December 2011 a total of 113 prisoners transferred from prisons in England and Wales to prisons in Scotland to continue serving sentences of imprisonment or to facilitate a period of temporary visits with close family.
	The following table gives the number of prisoners transferred in each of the last five years:
	
		
			  Male Female 
			 2007 26 0 
			 2008 17 0 
			 2009 17 0 
			 2010 25 2 
			 2011 24 2

Prisoners’ Transfers: Scotland

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) male and (b) female prisoners serving custodial sentences in England made requests to transfer to prisons in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Crispin Blunt: From 1 January 2007 to the 31 December 2011 a total of 149 prisoners submitted requests for transfer from prisons in England and Wales to prisons in Scotland to continue serving sentences of imprisonment or to facilitate a period of temporary visits with close family.
	The following table gives the number of applications received in each of the last five years:
	
		
			  Male Female 
			 2007 39 1 
			 2008 34 0 
			 2009 35 2 
			 2010 18 1 
			 2011 17 2

Prisoners: Learning Disability

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to ensure that when an authorised person explains the effect of a conditional caution to offenders, including those with a learning disability, it is done in a way which is easily understood by the offender; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: The police and Crown Prosecution Service have guidance in the form of the Revised Code of Practice on Adult Conditional Cautions and the Directors Guidance on Adult Conditional Cautions to help them decide whether an offence is suitable for a conditional caution. This guidance contains a number of safeguards to ensure conditional cautions are used appropriately.
	The Code of Practice for Conditional Cautions is clear that before a conditional caution can be administered the authorised person (usually a police officer) must ensure the offender understands the implications of accepting a conditional caution, including what is required from them to complete the conditions, and that it will form part of their criminal record. The authorised person should also ensure that the offender has had the opportunity to receive free and independent legal advice before accepting a condition caution.
	Conditions must always be appropriate, proportionate and achievable and an offender must agree to accept them. It is a requirement of the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Codes of Practice that individuals who are detained by the police and are identified as having mental health issues including learning disabilities should be provided with an appropriate adult. It is the appropriate adult's role to give advice and assistance to the detainee and to assist them in understanding the procedures being followed, including any interview or any proposals to give a caution. The police have guidance on recognising and responding to people with mental ill health or learning disabilities.

Prisons: Energy

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  further to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, columns 505-6W, on prisons' energy, what proportion of the prison estate the sample sites represented;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of how much energy has been saved at each prison where energy saving technology has been installed since May 2010; and what the monetary value of the saving was;
	(3)  how much was invested at each prison where energy saving technology has been introduced since May 2010;
	(4)  how many prison sites have not installed any energy saving technology since May 2010.

Crispin Blunt: Further to the answer of 12 December 2011, Official Report, column 505-6W, all public sector prisons were sampled.
	The Ministry of Justice is unable to provide an estimate of how much energy has been saved and the monetary value of the saving at each prison where energy saving technology has been installed since May 2010 as the information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The Ministry of Justice is unable to say how much has been invested in energy saving technology at each prison since May 2010 as this information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the following table shows the amounts invested through the Department for Energy and Climate Change funded Salix scheme at each prison.
	The Ministry of Justice is unable to say how many prison sites have not installed any energy saving technology since May 2010 as the information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Amounts invested through the Department for Energy and Climate , c hange funded Salix scheme at prisons in England and Wales since May 2010 
			 Date Prison Project Cost (£) 
			 13 September 2010 Woodhill Water Controls 29,707.00 
			 13 September 2010 Woodhill Lighting 47,588.00 
			 22 July 2010 Long Lartin Boiler Controls 38,704.00 
			 28 July 2010 Whitemoor Boiler Controls 40,138.00 
			 28 July 2010 Whitemoor Boiler Controls 1,250.40 
			 23 October 2010 Whitemoor Lighting 54,781.56 
			 20 November 2010 Whitemoor Lighting 17,279.17 
			 9 December 2010 Whitemoor Voltage Optimisation 98,799.88 
			 16 December 2010 Full Sutton Voltage Optimisation 80,201.98 
			 17 December 2010 Manchester Voltage Optimisation 127,040.25 
			 20 December 2010 Wakefield Voltage Optimisation 49,782.40 
			 14 March 2011 Belmarsh Voltage Optimisation 55,696.00 
			 14 March 2011 Belmarsh Voltage Optimisation 55,696.00 
			 14 March 2011 Belmarsh Voltage Optimisation 22,278.40 
			 28 March 2011 Frankland Voltage Optimisation 163,238.02 
			 10 May 2011 Frankland Lighting 30,377.40 
			 27 June 2011 Manchester Lighting 37,804.77 
			 30 June 2011 Frankland Core Plant 19,800.00 
			 29 November 2010 Bristol Lighting 4,257.35 
			 29 November 2010 Bristol Insulation 4,614.30 
			 29 November 2010 Bristol Core Plant 27,691.23 
			 29 November 2010 Bristol Lighting 1,308.00 
			 2 March 2011 Bristol Building Management System 33,046.00 
			 16 December 2010 Dorchester Lighting 10,537.91 
			 30 January 2011 Dorchester Lighting 15,315.00 
			 14 March 2011 Leyhill Insulation 33,720.60 
			 14 March 2011 Leyhill Core Plant 33,235.60 
			 30 November 2010 Ranby Lighting 59,551.00 
			 31 December 2010 Ranby Lighting 135,936.07 
			 31 December 2010 Gartree Lighting 40,079.67 
			 31 December 2010 Glen Parva Lighting 12,217.43 
			 31 December 2010 Onley Voltage Optimisation 60,186.00 
			 31 December 2010 Whatton Heating Controls 27,788.99 
			 31 December 2010 Glen Parva Voltage Optimisation 61,661.65 
			 31 December 2010 Gartree Insulation 25,076.69 
			 1 November 2010 Bedford Voltage Optimisation 35,174.80 
			 30 June 2010 Highpoint(1) Lighting 17,557.32 
			 7 May 2010 Highpoint(1) Insulation 10,887.08 
			 15 June 2010 Hollesley Bay Insulation 60,485.47 
			 15 June 2010 Hollesley Bay Insulation 2,937.50 
			 1 July 2010 Hollesley Bay Insulation 14,896.46 
			 18 June 2010 Norwich Insulation 43,780.03 
			 18 June 2010 Norwich Insulation 2,937.50 
			 17 December 2010 Feltham Lighting 34,993.00 
			 17 December 2010 Hewell Lighting 27,070.26 
			 17 December 2010 Hewell Lighting 23,571.50 
			 17 December 2010 Swinfen Hall Lighting 9,409.47 
			 31 October 2010 Deerbolt Lighting 3,959.21 
			 31 October 2010 Durham Air Conditioning Controls 6,943.08 
			 31 October 2010 Holme House Lighting 3,870.45 
			 31 October 2010 Holme House Lighting 16,473.76 
			 31 October 2010 Holme House Lighting 8,166.25 
			 31 October 2010 Low Newton Lighting 65,800.00 
		
	
	
		
			 31 October 2010 Low Newton Core Plant 3,963.25 
			 17 December 2010 Feltham Lighting 34,993.00 
			 17 December 2010 Hewell Lighting 27,070.26 
			 17 December 2010 Hewell Lighting 23,571.50 
			 17 December 2010 Swinfen Hall Lighting 9,409.47 
			 31 October 2010 Deerbolt Lighting 3,959.21 
			 31 October 2010 Durham Air Conditioning Controls 6,943.08 
			 31 October 2010 Holme House Lighting 3,870.45 
			 31 October 2010 Holme House Lighting 16,743.76 
			 31 October 2010 Holme House Lighting 8,166.25 
			 31 October 2010 Low Newton Lighting 6,580.00 
			 31 October 2010 Low Newton Core Punt 3,936.25 
			 17 December 2010 Feltham Lighting 34,993.00 
			 17 December 2010 Hewell Lighting 27,070.26 
			 17 December 2010 Hewell Lighting 23,571.50 
			 17 December 2010 Swinfen Hall Lighting 9,409.47 
			 31 October 2010 Deerbolt Lighting 3,959.21 
			 31 October 2010 Durham Air Conditioning Controls 6,943.08 
			 31 October 2010 Holme House Lighting 3,870.45 
			 31 October 2010 Holme House Lighting 16,473.76 
			 31 October 2010 Holme House Lighting 8,166.25 
			 31 October 2010 Low Newton Lighting 6,580.00 
			 31 October 2010 Low Newton Core Punt 3,996.25 
			    2,239,539.57 
			 (1 )Training centre at Highpoint prison.

Prisons: Foreign Nationals

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with (a) the UK Borders Agency and (b) the Prison Officers' Association on the building of prisons to accommodate foreign nationals only;
	(2)  further to the statement of 19 December 2011, Official Report, column 1061, on foreign national offenders, how many prisons will be built to accommodate only foreign nationals; and where such prisons will be located;
	(3)  pursuant to his oral statement of 19 December 2011, Official Report, column 1061, how many prisoner places will be provided in the proposed new build prisons for foreign nationals;

Crispin Blunt: No prisons are being built to accommodate foreign nationals only. The prison capacity programme is ongoing and will deliver two new prisons in 2012, HMP Thameside and HMP Oakwood, neither of which is intended to hold foreign nationals only.
	As stated on 19 December 2011, it is our intention to open more foreign national only prisons. This will be achieved by the conversion of existing prisons to this function. Joint work is under way between UKBA and NOMS to identify appropriate establishments for this purpose.

Protection from Harassment Act 1997

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has plans to give courts powers to impose community treatment orders in respect of persons convicted under the provisions of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Crispin Blunt: The courts already have powers to impose both community sentences and suspended sentence orders for offences under the Protection from Harassment Act and can therefore impose alcohol, drug and mental health treatment requirements as part of these sentences, where appropriate. In addition, accredited offending behaviour programmes and other interventions can be included as a requirement of a community order, a suspended sentence order or as licence condition, in appropriate cases.

Protection from Harassment Act 1997

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what funding is available for existing treatment programmes or clinics for persons convicted of stalking offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Crispin Blunt: There is no funding that is specifically allocated for the treatment of offenders convicted of stalking offences. Offenders are directed to appropriate programmes or services to address relevant aspects of their criminal behaviour following assessment of their underlying risk factors.

Rights of Accused: EU Action

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent progress has been made in the negotiations on the Draft Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings; and if he will make a statement.

Kenneth Clarke: The UK did not opt in to this proposed directive although we support the principle behind it because the Government considered that some of the provisions in the Commission's proposals would have an adverse impact on our ability to investigate and prosecute offences effectively. Good progress has been made in negotiations, but the Government still have some concerns about the content of the draft directive. The relevant Committee of the European Parliament is yet to publish a draft report in response to the Commission's proposal. On 13 December, the right hon. the Lord McNally wrote to the European Scrutiny Committees to update them about the progress of the negotiations.
	The Government will continue to engage in the negotiations. In the event our concerns about the initial draft of the directive are satisfactorily dealt with, we will consider whether we should apply to opt in to it once it has been adopted, as our protocol to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union allows. A well-drafted directive could be of considerable benefit to British subjects arrested in other member states. We will consult Parliament about any decision to apply to opt in.

Sentencing: Drugs

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people are serving a custodial sentence for the possession of a (a) class A and (b) class B drug.

Crispin Blunt: As at 30 September 2011, there were 10,604 prisoners in England and Wales serving sentences for drug offences. This total included 561 who were serving sentences for drug possession, and a further 3,461 for possession with intent to supply. From the data held centrally it is not possible to separately identify the numbers serving sentences for possession by class of drug.

Sexual Offences

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to ensure sex offenders leaving prison on completion of their sentence move into settled accommodation that conforms to the requirements of registration; and if he will make a statement.

Lynne Featherstone: holding answer 19 December 2011
	I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf of the Department for Justice.
	If an offender is released from a sentence of 12 months or more, he or she will be subject to supervision on licence for a specified period.
	During this time, they must only reside at an address approved by their supervising probation officer. During the custodial part of the sentence, there will be discussion between the probation officer and the offender about what is a suitable release address. Failure to reside at an address approved by the probation officer can result in the offender being recalled to custody.
	Sex offender registration requirements usually last much longer than the post-supervision licence and can be indefinite.
	Offenders sentenced to less than 12 months imprisonment will not be released on a licence, but if they have been convicted of a sexual offence they will be subject to notification requirements. This means they will be required to notify their personal details with the police, including: name, address; date of birth and national insurance number. Offenders are required to notify within three days of becoming subject to notification and must notify annually or whenever their details change for the duration of their notification requirements.
	The Home Office has recently consulted on four proposals to further strengthen existing notification requirements, including the requirement to notify weekly where an offender is registered as ‘no fixed abode’. We will publish our conclusions in due course.

Witnesses: Finance

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much funding his Department allocated to the Witness Service in each year from 1997 to 2011.

Crispin Blunt: The Witness Service, which provides support to witnesses appearing in magistrates and Crown courts in England and Wales, is part of the core service provided by Victim Support, the national charity for victims and witnesses of crime which is principally funded by the Ministry of Justice.
	The table details the total amount of central Government grant funding provided to Victim Support between 2000-01 and 2010-11 and the amount of this grant allocated each year by Victim Support to the Witness Service. Between 2000-01 and 2007-08 separate Witness Service arrangements existed for magistrates and Crown courts; figures are provided for both. Since 2008-09 there has been a single Witness Service covering all of those courts.
	Records of the amount of funding allocated to the Witness Service prior to 2000-01 are not available. The total amount of funding to be allocated to the Witness Service in the current financial year (2011-12) has yet to be finalised.
	
		
			 £ 
			 Financial year Magistrates court witness service Crown court witness service Total witness service funding Total MOJ grant to victim support 
			 2000-01 1,811,111 2,048,003 3,859,114 18,550,000 
			 2001-02 2,700,000 1,683,801 4,383,801 25,000,000 
			 2002-03 4,956,671 2,058,518 7,015,189 28,000,000 
			 2003-04 5,986,147 2,103,379 8,089,526 28,450,000 
			 2004-05 5,900,000 1,968,506 7,868,506 30,000,000 
			 2005-06 5,826,198 1,855,606 7,681,804 30,000,000 
			 2006-07 6,184,839 2,137,470 8,322,309 30,880,000 
			 2007-08 5,815,725 2,103,000 7,918,725 35,784,263 
			 2008-09 n/a n/a 7,918,725 37,000,000 
			 2009-10 n/a n/a 7,912,696 37,000,000 
			 2010-11 n/a n/a 7,912,696 45,000,000

Young Offenders: Learning Difficulty

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to ensure that, if a police officer gives a youth caution to a person, including someone with a learning disability, the processes associated with the caution are communicated in an accessible way and where the offender requires support to communicate or understand the process, communicated in the presence of the appropriate adult; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: Provisions in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill introduce youth cautions for young offenders aged under 18 years which will, when implemented, replace the current final warning scheme. The provisions require the police to explain the effect of the youth caution to the young person in ordinary language. Guidance will set out that this information must be given orally and supplemented with written information clearly explaining the effect of the youth caution. All youth cautions must be given in the presence of an appropriate adult if the young person is under 17 or otherwise deemed vulnerable. This could include having a learning disability.

Young Offenders: Learning Difficulty

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what representations he has received on whether when a police officer gives a youth caution to a person, including someone with a learning disability, the processes associated with the caution are communicated in an accessible way and where the offender requires support to communicate or understand the process, communicated in the presence of the appropriate adult; and if he will make a statement.

Crispin Blunt: The Ministry of Justice has received written representations on this subject from Mencap. Lord McNally, the Minister of State for Justice, met Lord Rix, Lord Wigley, Lord Ramsbotham and Mencap representatives on 14 December 2011 to discuss Mencap's suggested amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill including those related to youth cautions.

Youth Justice

Jenny Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the Public Bill Committee on the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill of 13 October 2011, Official Report, columns 794-97, on young adult offenders, what specific measures he has introduced to create flexibility to enable people within the criminal justice system to begin to address this age group as a priority.

Crispin Blunt: The Government’s reform agenda is to drive improved results for all offenders, including young adults.
	Measures are also being undertaken to improve outcomes for young adult offenders through the process of transition from the youth justice system to the criminal justice system at the age of 18. The Youth to Adult Portal, that is now being piloted, has been constructed to enable timely sharing of offender assessments and other information about offenders. The Youth Justice Board with the National Offender Management Service have recently begun the process of reviewing the operation of the national joint Youth Justice Board/National Offender Management Service protocol. The YJB and NOMS are working collaboratively to replace the current community focused protocol, introduce new guidance for transitions within custody and provide examples of effective practice. This will assist in establishing an agreed transitions process which promotes understanding between youth offending teams, probation trusts and young offender institutions and more effective use of the information available at critical stages in the transition process.
	The Ministry of Justice is also running a programme of Payment by Results pilots. Providers will be paid for their success at rehabilitating offenders and reducing reoffending, and will be given increased freedoms to work with offenders in new and innovative ways. Young adult offenders are included within the scope of the pilots at Peterborough and Doncaster prisons. They are also included within the scope available to the local justice reinvestment pilots in Greater Manchester and London though it will be for local areas themselves to decide how they prioritise their work with regard to the risk of reoffending rather than the age of particular offenders. We will keep the position of young adult offenders under review as we develop further Payment by Results proposals.